Oath drama in Tamil Nadu: Governor fumes as Congress MLA raises slogans hailing Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul, Kamaraj

CHENNAI: S Rajesh Kumar, the Congress Legislature Party leader from Killiyoor, raised slogans hailing Congress leaders Rajiv Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi during the oath-taking ceremony as state minister at Lok Bhavan on Thursday, prompting an intervention from governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.Kumar, while reading from the official oath, suddenly deviated and praised party leaders K. Kamaraj, Rajiv Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, leading the governor to remark, “that is not part of your oath.”He was instructed to stick to the written text and complete the oath as prescribed.Kumar was among the 23 MLAs inducted into the C. Joseph Vijay-led Cabinet, including 21 from TVK, during the Cabinet expansion.An official immediately stepped in and pointed to the written oath placed before him. Kumar then proceeded to complete the oath as prescribed.Minutes later, TVK legislator from Salem South, A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban, after taking oath as minister, hailed party leader and chief minister C. Joseph Vijay, who was present on the dais, saying, “Vaazhga thalaivar, valarga Tamil” (long live the leader, may Tamil prosper).Another TVK member from Sriperumbudur, Thennarasu, concluded his oath by expressing loyalty to the party leader and the party.(With agency inputs)