Will TN Assembly Convene Tomorrow Amid Political Tensions?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Tamil Nadu Assembly is scheduled to convene tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.
- Governor R. N. Ravi's address tradition is under scrutiny.
- The Speaker will present ceremonial honors upon the Governor's arrival.
- Political tensions have escalated in recent years.
- The outcome of the address could impact future governance.
Chennai, Jan 19 (NationPress) The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly is set to assemble on Tuesday in a politically charged environment, with all eyes on whether Governor R. N. Ravi will deliver his customary address in its entirety.
In accordance with tradition, the commencement of each Assembly session is marked by the Governor's address, which outlines the policies, programs, and accomplishments of the elected administration.
Accordingly, the inaugural session of this year's Assembly is slated to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Governor Ravi is anticipated to depart from Raj Bhavan at 9:10 a.m. and reach the Secretariat by approximately 9:25 a.m. He will be greeted with ceremonial honors, including a police parade accompanied by music.
Upon arrival, Assembly Speaker M. Appavu will formally welcome the Governor with a shawl and a bouquet. Inside the Assembly Hall, the Governor will move to the Speaker's chair.
Seating arrangements have been organized with the Speaker to the right of the Governor and the Governor's Secretary to his left.
The proceedings will commence promptly at 9:30 a.m. with the rendition of 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu', after which the Governor is expected to deliver his address.
Historically, the Governor's address encapsulates the vision, policies, welfare initiatives, and administrative accomplishments of the Tamil Nadu government.
Once the Governor concludes his speech in English, the Speaker will recite the Tamil translation. Following this, the day's session will come to an end. A subsequent meeting of the Business Advisory Committee will take place to determine the days allocated for the debate on the motion of thanks pertaining to the Governor's address.
This Assembly session is projected to last until Friday, January 23. However, uncertainty looms over tomorrow's proceedings due to ongoing confrontations between the Governor and the State government in recent years.
Appointed in September 2021, Ravi delivered his first complete Assembly address in 2022. Since then, relations between Raj Bhavan and the ruling DMK government have significantly soured.
In 2023, the Governor's address excluded several references, including those to women’s empowerment, secularism, self-respect, Periyar, B.R. Ambedkar, and former Chief Minister Karunanidhi.
When Chief Minister M. K. Stalin stated in the House that the omitted sections would remain part of the official address, the Governor left midway.
In 2024, Ravi chose not to read the address at all, citing the absence of the National Anthem following the Tamil anthem.
The Speaker subsequently read the complete address in Tamil to ensure it was recorded in the Assembly minutes. A similar incident occurred on January 6, 2025, when the Governor exited the House again on the same premise.
Given this backdrop, whether Governor Ravi will effectively deliver the address during the Assembly's convening tomorrow remains a pivotal political inquiry.