Governor refuses to read the customary speech in T.N. House

Governor refuses to read the customary speech in T.N. House

In what has now become a familiar scene, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi declined to read out his customary address prepared by the State government on the floor of the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, and walked out of the House.

Shortly after his exit, the Lok Bhavan issued a statement saying that Mr. Ravi had declined to read the address as it contained “numerous unsubstantiated claims and misleading statements”. Besides, several crucial issues troubling the people were ignored and the Governor’s microphone “was repeatedly switched off and he was not allowed to speak”, it said.

Disapproving of Mr. Ravi’s action, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin moved a resolution urging the Assembly to take on record only the approved Governor’s Address. The House adopted the resolution unanimously. Mr. Stalin announced that the DMK would take steps for a Constitution amendment to do away with the practice of commencing the first Assembly session of the year with the Governor’s address.

On Tuesday morning, soon after the Governor was escorted in, all members stood for the singing of the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu, the State anthem. While others settled in their seats after the song, the Governor initially kept standing, as the tablet placed in front of him displayed the text of the prepared address, to help him read from. He later took his seat.

The Governor began by extending New Year wishes to the members but then went on to digress from the prepared address. Speaker M. Appavu, seated next to him, stood up and requested the Governor to read out the speech given to him by following the procedure. Realising that the Governor had ignored his request, the Speaker continued to plead with him to read out the prepared speech.

An uneasy silence prevailed among members of the House, with Mr. Stalin and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami in attendance, as the customary procedure was not being honoured, yet again. During the past three years, the Governor has either digressed from the prepared speech or refused to read it out and walked out of the House.

Citing constitutional provisions, the Speaker reminded the House about the duties of the Governor. “The Governor cannot voice out his opinion in the Assembly. Please follow the procedure,” the Speaker requested repeatedly, reminding the Assembly that only its 234 elected members are permitted to express their opinions on the floor of the House.

Later, the Governor chose to walk out of the House.