In Chennai, rekindling his discord with the reigning DMK government, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi curtailed the customary address to the Legislative Assembly, asserting his divergence from the perspectives articulated in the prearranged speech by the state administration.
Ravi, amidst remarks on the DMK government’s handling of the national anthem, abruptly exited the House, despite Speaker M Appavu’s notification that the anthem would be sung following the customary procedure.
The Governor’s discourse presented to the State Legislative Assembly is an extension of the policy statement and is meticulously crafted by the ruling dispensation. On the inaugural day of the Budget Session, Ravi expedited his customary address, his inaugural speech for this year to the Assembly, in a matter of minutes.
He alluded to aspects not endorsed in the government-sanctioned version of the speech, particularly emphasizing his sentiments regarding the national anthem. The Governor convened the House on February 12, marking the commencement of the Budget Session of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
Ravi critiqued the government-curated speech, expressing how certain elements and the conveyed message would have impacted if articulated.
Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M Appavu emphasized the Tamil Nadu government and Chief Minister MK Stalin’s commitment to treating Governor Ravi, despite policy and ideological differences, with respect and dignity.
“Opinions exist for everyone; discussing them in the House is not our tradition. It is the ethos of the Tamil Nadu government, Chief Minister Stalin, and MLAs to accord Governor Ravi, in his elevated position, the due respect and dignity, regardless of policy and ideological disparities. This remains unchanged,” asserted Appavu.
Despite recent unprecedented rains and floods, Appavu criticized the Central government for not allocating a single paisa to Tamil Nadu, despite the substantial funds in the PM Care Fund.
Addressing the Governor as ‘Ayya’ (sir), Appavu suggested he could seek assistance, unburdened by public scrutiny, from the PM Care Fund, amounting to around Rs 50,000 crore for Tamil Nadu.
After conveying greetings in Tamil to Speaker Appavu, Chief Minister Stalin, and the MLAs, Ravi concluded his briefest speech in the Assembly. Following Ravi’s somewhat irritable departure, Leader of the House Durai Murugan proposed expunging all the Governor’s remarks, a request duly acknowledged by the Speaker. Appavu then presented the Tamil version of the Governor’s address.
On January 9, 2023, Ravi staged a ‘walkout,’ a historical occurrence for any Governor in the Assembly. This protest ensued after Chief Minister M K Stalin proposed a resolution urging the Speaker to expunge portions of the Governor’s speech, compelling the acceptance of the approved text of the Governor’s address.
During the motion, Stalin justified his drastic measure, citing the Governor’s omission of certain portions from the address.
