Chennai, May 6 -- In a rare gesture, Tamil Nadu Governor Vishwanath Rajendra Arlekar on Wednesday presented Chief Minister-elect and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) President Vijay with a shawl and a memento when he called on him at the Lok Bhavan to stake his claim to form the government.
While the shawl is a silk one, the memento is a replica of the famed Pallava era 6th century Shore Temple at the coastal Mamallapuram, a UNESCO heritage monument.
According to political circles, it is rare for the Governor to accord this honour to any leader even before they are designated as Chief Minister.
However, it is not a violation of protocol as claimed by some, since the Raj Bhavan is the Governor's residence and he can receive guests as he/she...