Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin Criticizes Governor R N Ravi in State Assembly
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin launched a sharp attack on Governor R N Ravi in the state assembly on Saturday, accusing him of undermining constitutional conventions and insulting the office he holds by refusing to read the customary address at the start of the session. "By not reading speech prepared by this government elected by crores of people, governor is disgracing the position he holds," Stalin said in the assembly.
Confrontations and Criticism of Governor's Conduct
Referring to repeated confrontations, the chief minister added, "Governors in the past were not like R N Ravi and I am constrained to criticise him." Rejecting allegations surrounding patriotism and protocol, Stalin emphasized, "We are not inferior to anyone in patriotism, and no one needs to teach us," stressing that respect for the National Anthem was deeply ingrained in the State's political culture.
In his address, Stalin expressed distress over the Governor's conduct, stating, "However, the Governor is acting against the government. He repeatedly cites the same reason and walks out of the Assembly. I am someone who has deep respect for the nation and the National Anthem." He also pointed out that Assembly tradition in Tamil Nadu involved singing the Tamil Thai Vazhthu at the beginning of proceedings and the National Anthem at the end.
Highlighting Government Achievements and Dismissing Opposition Claims
Highlighting his government's record, Stalin asserted, "Because of the achievements of the Dravidian Model government, Tamil Nadu has held its head high. Tamil Nadu has developed more than other states. The reason for this is our schemes." He added, "As far as this government is concerned, once an achievement is made, an even greater one follows. Creating achievement upon achievement is the hallmark of the Dravidian Model government."
The chief minister also dismissed opposition claims on law and order, noting, "Incidents of crime are less in state during DMK regime when compared to AIADMK rule." He further stated, "Facing crises is not new to me and I have overcome many challenges." Taking a jibe at the opposition, Stalin said, "I was worried when DMK formed government because previous AIADMK government had left the state in bad shape and union govt is not in good terms with us, but now I am happy seeing state's growth."
Background and Constitutional Amendment Proposal
The remarks come days after Governor Ravi walked out of the assembly before delivering his inaugural address, alleging disrespect to the National Anthem and claiming his microphone was switched off. Speaker M Appavu had urged the governor to adhere to established legislative conventions. Raj Bhavan later defended the walkout, stating that the government-approved speech omitted references to issues such as atrocities against Dalits and sexual violence against Dalit women. Opposition AIADMK legislators also staged a walkout, citing concerns over law and order.
Following this, Stalin announced that the DMK would consult like-minded opposition parties to pursue a constitutional amendment to abolish the practice of the Governor's address at the start of the first Assembly session. In a post on X, he said, "First Tamil Nadu. Then Kerala. Now Karnataka. The pattern is clear and deliberate. Governors refusing to read the speech prepared by state governments and behaving like party agents, undermining duly elected state governments."
He added, "As I stated earlier, the only solution now is to end the practice of commencing the first annual Assembly session with the Governor's address. DMK will consult like-minded opposition parties across India and pursue a constitutional amendment in the very next parliamentary session to abolish this obsolete and irrelevant practice."
PM Modi's Response and NDA Campaign
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched the NDA's campaign for the upcoming polls in Tamil Nadu, saying, "countdown has begun" for the end of the DMK government and the time has come for a "double-engine" NDA government. "Tamil Nadu is ready for change. It wants freedom from DMK rule. Tamil Nadu wants a BJP-led NDA govt," PM Modi said at a rally at Mathuranthakam, near Chennai.
Touching upon the lamp-lighting issue in Thiruparankundram, PM Modi accused the DMK of being hostile to Tamil culture. "DMK and its allies did not spare even the court in a bid to appease their vote bank," he said. Modi described the current dispensation as a "CMC (corruption, mafia, crime) govt". Sharing the stage with AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss, TMC president G K Vasan and other NDA allies, PM Modi said they had come together with a common resolve. "All of them are united to free Tamil Nadu from DMK's rule and transform it into a developed, secure and corruption-free state," he said.
