RN Ravi, the Governor of Tamil Nadu is seen being in a confrontation with the MK Stalin led DMK government. It all started with Ravi walking out of the Legislative Assembly after skipping some parts of speeches during the Governor’s Address. 

It seems that confirmation between the Governors and the State Government across India has become a new norm. Be it Kerala, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and now Tamil Nadu, Raj Bhawans are seen giving a tough time to the state governments. Recently, the same was witnessed down the south, in Tamil Nadu. It all started when Governor Ravindra Narayana Ravi, a retired IPS officer of the Kerala cadre, started to read out the Governor’s Address to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

As convention goes, the speech was written by the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Ravi, as governor, was duty bound to read it to the assembly. The problem commenced after Ravi omitted portions of the speech. This angered CM M K Stalin and other DMK leaders who felt this gubernatorial breach of convention was not correct. Ravi began the omissions with the 12th point of the speech where the state government stated, ‘This Government accords highest priority to maintenance of law and order in the State and is taking all necessary measures to ensure that the State continues to be a haven of peace and tranquillity, free from any form of violence.

‘With utmost concern for the future of our youth, the Hon’ble Chief Minister is determined to crack down on the distribution and consumption of drugs and narcotic substances with an iron hand. This Government is continuously taking measures to prevent drug smuggling including stringent enforcement of law and awareness creation among people.’

Ravi also omitted point 64 which stated: ‘Since this Government took office … In 2021, the State was severely affected by heavy flooding and rains, and normal life was disrupted. Based on the learnings of that disaster, this Government has effectively managed the recent cyclone and rains.

‘The State’s economy was in doldrums due to several reasons including Covid. Within the last year and a half, due to the economic reforms, welfare schemes and development works carried out by this Government, the economy has been revived and the State has been marching ahead in the path of development.

‘Because of stellar management of law and order, Tamil Nadu continues to be a haven of peace. As a result, the State is attracting numerous foreign investments and is becoming a forerunner in all sectors.’ Point 65, which Ravi ignored, stated: ‘This Government is founded on the ideals of social justice, self-respect, inclusive growth, equality, women empowerment, secularism and compassion towards all.

‘Following the principles and ideals of stalwarts like Thanthai Periyar, Annal Ambedkar, Perunthalaivar Kamarajar, Perarignar Anna and Muthamizh Arignar, Kalaignar, this Government has been delivering the much-acclaimed Dravidian model of governance to its people.’

After Chief Minister Stalin moved a resolution, even as Ravi was speaking, that the speech was read, the governor walked out of the assembly.

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