Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Announces Constitutional Amendment Push
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin declared on Tuesday that his party, the DMK, will actively pursue a constitutional amendment to remove provisions requiring the Governor's Address at the start of the legislative year. This announcement followed Governor RN Ravi's decision to walk out of the Assembly without delivering the government-prepared speech for the fourth consecutive time.
Governor's Repeated Refusal Sparks Constitutional Debate
Governor RN Ravi declined to read the state government's prepared text during the Assembly session. The Governor's office, Lok Bhavan, claimed the address contained "inaccuracies" and "misleading statements." Ravi left the House without performing the customary address, marking his fourth such walkout since assuming office in 2021.
Speaking in the Assembly afterward, Chief Minister Stalin expressed concern over the Governor's annual refusal to deliver the government's speech. He noted that similar issues with Governors occur in multiple states, not just Tamil Nadu, indirectly referencing states not ruled by the BJP.
Stalin Questions the Practice Itself
Stalin emphasized that the Governor reading the government's policy statement at year's beginning represents a long-standing practice. When a Governor repeatedly violates this tradition, he argued, it naturally raises questions about why such rules should exist at all.
The Chief Minister stated that the DMK would therefore work in Parliament, with support from like-minded parties, to amend the Constitution and eliminate provisions mandating the Governor's annual address.
Social Media Amplification and Broader Implications
Later, through a social media post, Stalin called for demanding a constitutional amendment to declare the Governor's Address unnecessary. He emphasized that this effort benefits all states governed by opposition parties across India.
Stalin asserted that the four-year achievements of the Dravidian model government remain visible to the people who benefit from them, regardless of the Governor's refusal to read the prepared address.
Background of the Latest Confrontation
The Lok Bhavan explained that Governor Ravi "declined" to read the DMK government's customary address because it allegedly contained numerous "unsubstantiated claims and misleading statements." The office also claimed that crucial issues affecting the people were ignored in the speech.
Immediately after Ravi's walkout, the Assembly adopted a resolution moved by CM Stalin, stating that only the government-prepared address would enter the official record. The Lok Bhavan quickly released a statement providing its version of events.
National Anthem Controversy Adds Fuel to Fire
The Governor's office alleged that the national anthem was "insulted" again and that the fundamental constitutional duty of respecting it was disregarded. Ravi had reportedly demanded that the national anthem be played at the commencement of the address, while the government maintains the tradition of playing the Tamil anthem first and the national anthem at the end.
Minutes after Ravi left the 234-member House, the Lok Bhavan issued a detailed 13-point explanation. It claimed the Governor's microphone was "repeatedly switched off" and he was not permitted to speak. The statement specifically challenged the government's claim of attracting investments worth over Rs 12 lakh crore, calling it "far from the truth."
Stalin referenced a recent English daily editorial that described the Tamil Nadu Governor as "recalcitrant" for "disrespecting the Constitution and the democratically elected government." He stated that Ravi's actions today have proven that characterization accurate.
The ongoing tension highlights deepening institutional conflicts between the state government and the Governor's office, with constitutional procedures becoming the latest battleground in Tamil Nadu's political landscape.
