CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government appears to be moving from confrontation to cooperation with the Centre, as events unfolded during the new assembly's first full session with Governor R V Arlekar's maiden address on Thursday.
The session began with the rendition of Tamil Thai Vazhthu, followed by the national anthem, which was played again after the governor's address. Previously, the national anthem was played only at the end of the governor's address.
Governor Arlekar delivered the full text of the address prepared by the TVK government led by C Joseph Vijay, unlike his predecessor R N Ravi, who had refused to read speeches prepared by the DMK government and walked out of the assembly over the playing of Tamil Thai Vazhthu before the national anthem.
There was no disruption or walkout as Arlekar delivered his 37-minute speech, one of the shortest in recent years. The governor later posted on X that the address being read in full after a three-year gap marked "a new era" and was evidence of democratic dignity and a more harmonious relationship between the state government and Lok Bhavan.
"It is deeply gratifying that we have all begun our collective journey toward this very goal," he added. Struggling to pronounce the names of TVK ideologues Periyar E V Ramasamy, K Kamaraj, B R Ambedkar, Rani Velu Nachiyar and Anjalai Ammal, Arlekar sought forgiveness. "Please forgive me for the wrong pronunciation," he told the House. Opposition benches, including DMK and AIADMK, remained seated through the Speaker's reading of the Tamil version of the address.
Reading out the text prepared by the state government, the governor praised Vijay as a "historical leader of our times," crediting him with forming a government single-handedly, overcoming barriers, vanquishing money power, and triggering a "historic revolution in politics" comparable to former CMs C N Annadurai and M G Ramachandran.
"The chief minister has, in a short time, achieved a feat of Himalayan scale by bringing about a new renaissance and a great, widespread whistle revolution in the political landscape of Tamil Nadu," Arlekar said.
In the address, the government announced it would implement the "Vetri Thamizhagam" vision document over the next five years, structured around 10 pillars: Tamil identity and pride; dignified living and social security; welfare of women; welfare of youth; welfare of farmers; welfare of fishermen; world-class education; a prosperous Tamil Nadu; excellent health care and environment; and world-class infrastructure, alongside a people's welfare government and transparent administration.
It expressed hope that the Union government will favourably consider the demands the chief minister had raised during his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and provide necessary assistance to Tamil Nadu. Accusing the previous DMK government of "fiscal mismanagement," it announced it would publish a report on discriminatory treatment by the Union government in financial devolution to Tamil Nadu.
Arlekar said Tamil Nadu would become India's model state for urban excellence. "This government is resolved to break through every obstacle to deliver a corruption-free and honest administration and thereby to bring about an economic revival," the governor said.
