Tamil Nadu Assembly session to begin on January 20 with Governor’s address

The first session of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 2026 is set to begin with the customary Governor’s address to the House at Fort St. George, Chennai at 9.30 am on Tuesday (January 20). The duration of the session will be decided by the Business Advisory Committee. As per convention, the Governor will deliver the address in English, following which the Speaker will read out the Tamil version of the speech.

Over the past three years, issues surrounding Governor R.N. Ravi’s address and his walkouts from the House have emerged as one of the major points of contention between Raj Bhavan (now Lok Bhavan) and the State government. Public exchanges between the Governor and the Chief Minister have repeatedly underscored the differences between the two sides.

During this sitting, the House may adjourn proceedings on one of the days as a mark of respect for DMK MLA K. Ponnusamy (Senthamangalam), who died in October last year. On the remaining days, the House may debate on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address. The session is expected to last only a few days.

This will also be the first Assembly session since the resignations of former AIADMK legislators K.A. Sengottaiyan and Paul Manoj Pandian, who have since joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam respectively.

Interactions between DMK and Congress legislators, as well as any exchanges involving PMK members belonging to the rival factions of party founder S. Ramadoss and his estranged son Anbumani Ramadoss, among others, are expected to draw the attention of legislators in the House.