Gujarat Governor skips ‘Governor’s At Home’ function in Nadiad

Nadiad, 15 August, 2011

Gujarat’s Governor Dr. Kamla Beniwal on Sunday skipped Governor’s ‘At home’ event held in Nadiad on the eve of India’s independence day. According to official press release issued by the state government, Governor Dr. Kamla Beniwal couldn’t attend the programme due to heavy rain in Gandhinagar(whether you believe or not, but this is the reason announced officially).

In absence of Governor, it was the Chief Minister who exchanged greetings of 15th of August with various leading people from different fields in Governor’s ‘At home’ event. The function was attended by uniform jawans, freedom fighters, Chief Secretary, ministers, chief whip of BJP and local MLA, Gujarat Police Chief, MLAs and other dignitaries.

It is now well-known in political circles of Gandhinagar that sour relationship between governor Dr Kamla and chief minister Narendra Modi has reached a point of no return. Governor has sent many files back to the government and blocked many bills from turning into law in past one year. Her order to remove Gajendra Jani from the post of the registrar of Saurashtra University, and her move of selecting Hemaxi Rao as vice-chancellor of Hemchandracharya University, Patan were another issues with which the state government was not much happy.

What is “At Home party”

Usually, on the Independence Day and the Republic Day , the Governor of Gujarat hosts ”At Home Party”. Dignitaries like the Chief Minister, Chief Justice, Speaker of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, Justices of the Gujarat High Court, Leader of the opposition, prominent citizens, freedom fighters, senior bureaucrats etc. are invited in these events.

Normally, ”At Home Parties” have one-hour duration. The duration is usually from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The party begins with the arrival of the Governor at the venue at 5:00 p.m. Governor is given a ceremonial welcome by the police band with the National Anthem played by it. At the end of the party, the same procedure is repeated. During the party, the Governor goes around, greets the guests present and exchanges pleasantries with them. All the guests are entertained with high tea during the events.