In a First, TN Governor Walks Out After Skipping Parts of Customary Address

A massive controversy erupted as Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi skipped portions of the customary address prepared by the state government in the Assembly on Monday and walked out in a huff.

The governor had included certain comments of his own, leading to strong opposition from the Treasury Benches and DMK allies. Subsequently, chief minister MK Stalin moved a resolution to include only the text prepared by his government in the Assembly records and remove Ravi’s comments.

Moments later, the governor walked out of the House even before the national anthem was sung.

Ravi has skipped references to Periyar, BR Ambedkar, K Kamaraj, CN Annadurai and M Karunanidhi and on the state attracting foreign investment due to “better law and order”.

The tussle between the governor and the DMK government dates back several months with his recent comments on using the name ‘Tamizhagam’ instead of ‘Tamil Nadu’ escalating the tension and not giving assent to 22 Bills, including the one on banning online gambling.

PORTIONS OF SPEECH OMITTED

Treasury members started raising slogans against the governor even before he had begun to deliver the customary address.  Traditionally, the governor presents the address as prepared by the state government. Deviating from the custom, RN Ravi skipped a few portions of the speech, including social justice, secularism, equality and compassion.

The text skipped by governor RN Ravi, referring to the ideals followed by the DMK government. (Reproduced from the original text available on the TN Assembly website)

Another portion of the speech which claimed that better law and order in the state has attracted foreign investment was skipped as well.

As soon as the governor finished his address, Stalin proposed a resolution seeking the removal of Ravi’s added comments and the inclusion of only the official text in the Assembly’s records. 

“The speech was prepared by the state government and was duly approved by the governor. Though we disapprove of the governor’s attitude, we followed the procedure and ensured decorum in the House during the address. But the governor refusing to read the portions approved by him is disappointing and against precedence,” the resolution read. 

DMK members raised slogans, including ‘Our Land is Tamil Nadu’ countering Ravi’s comment on calling the state Tamizhagam.

CALL FOR RECALLING GOVERNOR

Expressing disappointment over the controversy, Speaker M Appavu said, “It is disheartening to see the actions of the governor in a non-BJP ruled state. The governor refusing to read the name of BR Ambedkar, who framed the Constitution, is highly disappointing.” 

Industries minister Thangam Thennarasu accused Ravi of violating the Constitution. “The address was prepared by the state government on January 5 and approved by the governor on January 7. The governor refusing to read the policy address cannot be accepted,” he said.

The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) called for a united protest by all democratic forces to end the governor’s “unconstitutional practice”.

CPI(M) hailed the state government’s decision to incorporate only the official speech in the Assembly records. “This is the fitting reply to the governor, who continuously violates the constitutional mandate,” the party said in a statement. 

The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) called for a protest march to the Raj Bhavan on January 13 against Ravi. “The governor has disrespected the elected government and the National Anthem. He is trying to create confusion in the state, which cannot be accepted,” a party statement read. 

The BJP alleged that the DMK government has disrespected the governor’s office and set a bad precedent. “Do you want the governor to speak only what you think?” BJP legislator and Mahila Morcha National chief Vanathi Srinivasan told reporters outside the Assembly adding that it “clearly” shows that the “state government isn’t maintaining a good relationship with the governor”.

While the AIADMK said it is against tradition to adopt a resolution without the governor’s assent. Opposition leader Edappadi K Palaniswami told reporters that the governor’s speech is about the “programmes and policies implemented by the government at the beginning of the year”.

“Like last year, no major new projects were included in the speech this year. The government and the chief minister are patting themselves on their back and giving themselves kudos through the governor,” he added.