Governor delivers full address after four years

Chennai, June 18:

The first day of the first session of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly began on Thursday with the rendition of the Tamil Thai Vaazhthu, and for the first time in four years, Governor R.V. Arlekar delivered his customary address in full without any deviation.

Soon after the House assembled at 10 a.m., the proceedings commenced with the State song Tamil Thai Vaazhthu, followed by the National Anthem, which is usually played at the end of the session. The Governor then read out the address prepared by the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in its entirety.

The development assumes significance against the backdrop of the previous DMK regime, during which relations between the State government and the Raj Bhavan were strained over several issues. At that time, the then Governor R.N. Ravi had deviated from the prepared text, omitted certain portions, and even staged walkouts, objecting to the non-recital of the National Anthem at the beginning of the session.

Controversy had also arisen earlier over the order of ceremonial songs, particularly during the swearing-in of Chief Minister Vijay and the subsequent Cabinet expansion held at the Raj Bhavan. The rendition of Vande Mataram ahead of the State invocation song had triggered protests from various political parties, raising doubts over whether the Governor would deliver his address in full during the Assembly session.

However, the proceedings on Thursday passed off smoothly, with no disruption, as the Governor read the entire speech without deviation. The earlier controversies, including the Vande Mataram issue, did not find any echo in the House.

In his address, Governor Arlekar referred to Chief Minister Vijay’s maiden visit to New Delhi after assuming office, during which key demands of Tamil Nadu were placed before Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He noted that these demands were reiterated by the Chief Minister at the NITI Aayog meeting.

Recalling the recent Assembly elections, the Governor described the victory of the TVK as historic, achieved within two years of the party’s formation. He said the Chief Minister overcame numerous challenges, defeated money power, and upheld democratic values to form the government with overwhelming public support.

Listing key initiatives of the government, the Governor highlighted the waiver of farm loans, closure of 717 state-run liquor outlets, opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its three-language formula, and continued resistance to NEET. He also referred to issues concerning fishermen, and inter-state water disputes such as the Cauvery and Mullaperiyar.

Quoting former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, he said, “Renaissance is not a poison that destroys virtues; it is the means to destroy the venomous pests that destroy those virtues.” He added that the present government has ushered in a new political renaissance, describing it as a “whistle revolution” in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.

The Governor noted that Tamil Nadu had witnessed major political transformations earlier under leaders like Annadurai in 1967 and M.G. Ramachandran in 1977, and said a similar historic shift has occurred in 2026 under Chief Minister Vijay.

He further stated that the TVK government would uphold core principles such as State rights, women’s safety, social justice, equal opportunity, and inclusive governance. He emphasized welfare measures for farmers, fishermen, weavers, labourers, differently-abled persons, transgender individuals, and minorities, along with prioritising education, healthcare, and equitable representation in governance.

Describing the present dispensation as an embodiment of coalition governance, the Governor said the government has demonstrated a model of “a share in governance and a share in power,” which he termed unprecedented in Tamil Nadu’s 74-year political history.

The session is expected to continue with discussions on the Governor’s address in the coming days.