A week after their face off in the state assembly, governor R N Ravi and chief minister M K Stalin came face to face again on Monday, and the chill was hard to miss.If last week’s walkout underlined the depth of the standoff, Monday’s Republic Day event at the Labour Statue venue was marked by carefully choreographed civility, measured smiles, and a conspicuous absence of warmth.
Stalin arrived at the venue at around 8am, his motorcade pulling in first, followed shortly by the governor. When the two met on the stage, they exchanged brief greetings, accompanied by a fleeting smile. The chief minister presented a bouquet to the governor, which the latter accepted.Moments later, the governor moved away to greet the heads of the armed forces present, leaving the chief minister behind, before returning to unfurl the Tricolour, with the chief minister standing next to him. Stalin accompanied him for the ceremony, and both leaders performed their constitutional roles with an obvious restraint. While watching the parade and cultural performances, they were sitting next to each other, and yet far apart, as there were no visible exchanges or conversations in that one hour.When the cultural programmes concluded, the two shook hands. Stalin walked Ravi to his car, shook his hand once again, and saw him off.
