- Tensions rose in Tamil Nadu Assembly as Governor RN Ravi clashed with DMK on session's first day
- Governor walked out after Tamil Nadu anthem was played, skipping his customary address
- Governor's office accused state of muting his mic and presenting misleading speech claims
Tensions flared in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Tuesday morning after familiar foes Governor RN Ravi and the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam clashed on Day 1 of the first session.
The Governor walked out in a huff, declaring the national anthem had been "insulted" and skipping his customary address to the House, after the state anthem was played at the start of the session, mirroring scenes that have played out in each of the past two opening sessions.
Shortly after he walked out, the Governor's office released a statement accusing the state of having "repeatedly switched off" his microphone and presenting a speech – prepared, as is customary, by the state government – that contained "numerous unsubstantiated claims and misleading statements". "Crucial issues troubling the people were ignored," Ravi's office declared, pointing to a statement about Rs 12 lakh crore in investment and women's safety.
The response from the ruling DMK was swift.
Chief Minister MK Stalin said the Governor's actions had "disrespected and insulted 100-year-old traditions of the House" and he reflected on a pithy saying by DMK founder CN Annadurai, who once said, "Why does a goat need a beard… and why does a state need a Governor?"
Stalin also insisted his administration had not, in any way, disrespected the Governor or his office, and claimed it was the Governor, instead, who had failed to respect the Tamil people.
The House met at 9.30 am and, in accordance with protocol, the Governor was to deliver the opening remarks. However, the session fell into chaos after the Tamil Nadu anthem was played.
Ravi then walked out of the House – after offering a brief greeting in Tamil – over the same issue for the second consecutive year. The state government, though, was unfazed; Speaker M Appavu told the House the Governor had been formally notified of the protocol and the Chief Minister then moved a resolution to place the Governor's speech on record, despite his walkout.
However, while the speech may have been taken into the record, the walkout underlines the continuing friction between the Governor and Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK. The two have already clashed several times and even faced off in the Supreme Court – over the consent-for-bills row.
The showdown between the Governor – appointed by the BJP-led centre – and Chief Minister MK Stalin's DMK comes three months before a critical Assembly election in which the two parties are in rival camps, and have already clashed over various issues, including law and order.
