In the wake of Governor R.N. Ravi’s decision to walk out of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly without reading his customary address, Assembly Speaker M. Appavu stepped in to deliver the speech in Tamil, ensuring the proceedings continued smoothly.
The first session of the legislative year began amid political tension, with Speaker Appavu welcoming the Governor with a bouquet and a copy of the biography of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. As per long-standing practice, the Assembly convened with the state song Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu. However, Governor Ravi chose not to stay to read the full government-prepared address, generating a stir in the House.
The Governor reportedly walked out after raising objections over procedural matters, including the absence of the national anthem at the beginning of the session — a controversy that has marked similar occasions in recent years. This is the fourth consecutive year in which the Governor declined to read the Assembly address.
With the Governor refusing to read the text, Speaker Appavu took up the address and read it aloud in Tamil to the members present. The speech highlighted the state government’s initiatives and developmental achievements, which were prepared and submitted by the state Cabinet.
Earlier in the session, the Speaker appealed to maintain Assembly tradition and asked that the Governor not reject established procedures. In delivering the address, Appavu ensured that the government’s legislative agenda was officially recorded, even in the absence of the Governor’s participation.