Governor RN Ravi took the floor for the first session of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for 2026 on Monday morning, with a passionate walkout minutes after his introduction. The Governor refused to provide the customary speech saying the National Anthem was "insulted" and his microphone was repeatedly switched off during the proceedings.
The Anthem Dispute
The confrontation started just after an interpretation of the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu state’s anthem emerged. Governor Ravi, they say, told him that the National Anthem should also be played to begin their session. When Speaker M. Appavu said no for now, referring to long standing state practices and legislative traditions, the Governor got up from his seat and declared "I am deeply disappointed." "I am disappointed. The National Anthem was not afforded due respect,” the Governor said before exiting the House without the prepared speech.
Accusations of 'Contradictions' and 'Mic Is Muted'
Just after the walkout, Lok Bhavan (previously Raj Bhavan) released a vicious 13-point press release, explaining why the Governor's decision. But the statement said the Governor’s microphone had been “repeatedly switched off” and he was barred from speaking at the House. The Governor’s office also stated the speech prepared by the government contained “a lot of unsubstantiated claims and misleading statements."
More specifically, the report called into question the government’s claim to have attracted ₹12 lakh crore in investments and stated the numbers were considerably lower. Moreover, the Governor criticised the speech for ignoring continuing violations against Dalits and acts of sexual violence against women in the state.
CM Stalin and Speaker Respond
In the Governor's absence, however, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin enacted a resolution for recording just what the government approved as the official address. It was passed unanimously by the treasury benches. CM Stalin had a dig at the Governor in a speech before the House, quoting DMK founder CN Annadurai as follows: "Why does a goat need a beard, and why does a state need a Governor?" Speaker Appavu stood for the House's protocol, adding that it is incumbent upon the Governor to adhere to rules set by the Assembly's convention. The issue of National Anthem entry into that program he added, was already written out with the Governor in previous sessions.
A Growing Rift
This marks the third straight year (2024, 2025, and 2026) that Governor RN Ravi has missed or shortened the New Year address with the DMK-led government. The incident at the time of today’s announcement demonstrates that the constitutional and political divide between the state executive and the Raj Bhavan has become even more severe as the state assembly elections near. In response to the Governor's departure, the opposition AIADMK staged a walkout, protesting against the state's law and order situation, and in all seriousness building up the high-strung political drama.
