DMK’s allies criticise Governor; AMMK, PMK critique T.N. government’s prepared address to House

Allies of the ruling DMK on Tuesday (January 20, 2026) criticised Governor R.N. Ravi for declining to read his Customary Address at the opening session of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, while Opposition parties took aim at the government-prepared address.

K. Selvaperunthagai, president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, said the Governor’s action amounted to an insult to the Indian Constitution, the dignity of the Legislature, and the democratically elected Members of the Legislative Assembly.

In a statement, he said the Governor’s powers have been clearly defined in the Constitution and reiterated in several Supreme Court judgments.

“According to the Supreme Court’s November 2025 verdict, there cannot be two centres of executive power in a State. Complete authority rests with the Council of Ministers, and Articles 200 and 201 of the Constitution clearly define the Governor’s powers. Bills passed by the Legislative Assembly cannot be kept pending indefinitely; if that happens, the court will intervene—this was made explicit in that judgment,” he said. “In this context, Mr Ravi, who acts in violation of the powers granted under the Constitution, is unfit to hold that office.”

MDMK chief Vaiko said Mr. Ravi has disregarded the traditions of the Assembly despite being explained several times that Tamil Thai Vazhthu will be played at the beginning and National anthem will be played at the end of the day’s session.

“The Governor’s office has released an incorrect statement that he wasn’t allowed to talk and that his mic was switched off. The statement released seems like it was released from BJP’s office,” he alleged.

CPI state secretary M. Veerapandian said the Union Government must recall Governor Ravi. “Everyone knows who don’t accept the tricolour and those who questioned the Ashoka Chakra. There is no need to take lessons about patriotism in Tamil Nadu,” he said.

M.H. Jawahirullah, founder of Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, demanded that the President of India recall the Governor for “showing contempt towards the traditions of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly”.

“That the Governor, who lacks the willingness to appreciate Tamil Nadu’s rapid progress as a leading state in education, women’s empowerment, employment, and inclusive development, chose to walk out by making allegations that investments exist only on paper and that the microphone was repeatedly switched off, is an act that maligns the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu,” he said.

Criticising the contents of the prepared Governor’s Address, PMK president Anbumani said the claim that Tamil Nadu had attracted ₹12.16 lakh crore in investments was a lie. “Ever since DMK came to power, they have been claiming several lakh crores of investments are being made in Tamil Nadu resulting several lakh jobs. PMK has debunked these claims several times.”

Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran said the Governor’s address, which should have focussed on State government’s policies and how it has benefited the people of the State, instead appears to paint a picture of a rosy Tamil Nadu, which the DMK supporters believe is the truth.

The Governor’s address should have referred to proliferation of drugs in the society and the break down of law and order. “By not doing it, the State government has tried to hide a pumpkin inside the rice. At a time when teachers, government employees, doctors, nurses, electricity and transport department employees, entrepreneurs and disabled people are protesting against the government, it is laughable for the government use the lines of revolutionary poet Bharathidasan’s lines to describe how it is running the government,” he said.