Minister offers regret after AIADMK MLA’s name omitted from temple event

Madurai: Hindu religious and charitable endowments (HR&CE) department minister Ramesh on Monday expressed regret to AIADMK MLA Ravimanoharan after the latter’s name was omitted from government banners displayed for the inauguration of development works at the Palani Murugan temple in Dindigul.

Ravimanoharan had arrived to attend the inauguration of facilities, including a park and temple entrance infrastructure, at the temple. However, his name was missing from banners placed at the venue. The MLA then moved away from the main gathering and waited at one side of the event site.

AIADMK functionaries and local leaders brought the omission to the minister’s attention. Ramesh subsequently questioned temple and HR&CE officials over the lapse and asked why the name of an elected representative had been left out of a government function.

“It does not matter which party he belongs to. He is a representative elected by the people. His name should have been there,” the minister was heard telling officials in a video circulated from the venue. Ramesh then walked to the MLA, expressed regret for the omission on behalf of officials and assured him that such lapses would not recur.

Following the intervention, Ravimanoharan joined the minister and participated in the event. The episode comes days after a disagreement between DMK mayor R Priya and TVK MLA M R Pallavi in Chennai over inauguration protocols.