I will preserve, protect Constitution: Purohit

Chennai, Oct 6: Banwarilal Purohit, who took charge as Tamil Nadu Governor on Friday, said all his decisions will be based on Constitution and he also assured full support to the development activities in the state. Mr Purohit was on Friday sworn-in as the 25th Governor of the state at the Raj Bhavan here by Chief Justice of Madras High Court Indira Banerjee, at a time when the state is witnessing so many crucial political developments. Addressing mediapersons after the swearing-in ceremony, he said there will be no political consideration in the decisions which he will make. "I have decided to preserve and protect Constitution. Governor's office is above politics. All decisions will be based on merit," he said. He added that he will see that there is total transparency in the administration. "I am going to support the government as far as developmental activities are concerned. I have good friends in Delhi. Will ensure that more funds are provided to Tamil Nadu," he added. Earlier, Justice Banerjee administered the oath of office to Mr Purohit, a former Governor of Assam at a ceremony at the Raj Bhavan here. Taking oath in the name of God, Mr Purohit said he would 'faithfully execute the office of Governor of Tamil Nadu and will do the best of his ability to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law and that I will devote myself to the service and well being of the people of Tamil Nadu.' Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, his cabinet colleagues including Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, DMK working president and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly M K Stalin, Counsel Generals of various countries in Chennai and senior bureaucrats were among those present. Senior BJP leaders including Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan and the party's state head Tamilisai Soundararajan were also present. Earlier, Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan read out the Warrant of Appointment issued on 29 September by President Ram Nath Kovind, appointing Mr Purohit as the Governor. The first full-time Governor to be appointed since the completion of term of K Rosaiah in August 2016, Mr Purohit, an experienced campaigner, has his task cut out as the opposition DMK has already expressed hope that he would act on its plea for a floor test. Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao had been given additional charge of the State since September 2016 before Mr Kovind appointed Mr Purohit as the Governor. Mr Purohit, who has been appointed last week amid growing calls for a full-time Governor for the state, has been involved in social, political, educational and industrial fields in Vidharbha in Maharashtra. He plunged into active politics in 1977 and entered the Maharashtra Assembly for the first time in 1978 by winning the Nagpur East seat. He is also credited with revival of 'The Hitavada', an English daily founded by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, the mentor of Mahatma Gandhi. UNI