DMK to bat for Constitutional amendment to do away with Governors customary address: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin

The DMK, along with like-minded political parties in the country, would undertake efforts to advocate for a Constitutional amendment to do away with the practice of the first Assembly session of the year commencing with the customary Governor’s address to the House, DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said on Tuesday (January 20, 2026).

Earlier, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution moved by Mr. Stalin which did not accept the action of the Governor in not reading out his customary address to the House. The resolution also said that the speech sent to the Governor (text of which was uploaded in the tablets given for members) would be considered as having been read out.

“The Governor has walked out of this House violating the rules and tradition of this House. As per Article 176 of the Constitution, the Governor should read out the Governor’s speech in entirety. There is no scope for the Governor to include his personal comments or to remove parts of the speech prepared by the State government,” Mr. Stalin said.

Clarifications sent

Referring to queries from the Governor seeking clarifications on January 19, Mr. Stalin said the reply was provided. “Despite that, the Governor has intentionally indulged in such an action violating the provisions of the Constitution. I consider his actions disrespected the customs and long traditions of this august House.”

Recalling his speech on April 10 in 2023, the Chief Minister said though late leaders and former Chief Ministers C.N. Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi were of the view that the Governor post was unnecessary, but they did not fail in according the respect to the post as long as it was there. Mr. Stalin said that he too followed that principle and issued instructions for steps towards the Governor’s address to the House.

“However, it is regrettable that the Governor has acted like before. The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly reflects the sentiments of the eight crore Tamil people. The Governor should be truly concerned about their welfare and development and should speak the truth. He should extend cooperation to the government elected by the people. The Constitution expects the same from the individual holding the post. But our Governor acted contrary to that,” Mr. Stalin said.

Since he had the principal responsibility in upholding the dignity of the House, he was moving the resolution, Mr. Stalin said. After the resolution was adopted unanimously in the House, he thanked all the members.

Mr. Stalin further went on to say: “It is not good for the Governor not to properly read out the speech prepared and sent to him by the State government.” He further said it was not only in Tamil Nadu but in other States too, the Governors have been “obstacles” to respective State governments.

“It is natural for anyone to question as to why should there be rules when someone repeatedly acts this way,” Mr. Stalin said and added that the DMK along with like-minded political parties in the country would undertake steps to amend Constitution that the first session of the Assembly in a year does not begin with the customary Governor’s address to the House.

Governor’s actions proves The Hindu editorial right: CM

Later in the day, Mr. Stalin, in a social media post, referred to an editorial published in The Hindu on January 19, 2026 terming ‘Recalcitrant Governor’ and said Governor R.N. Ravi’s actions on Tuesday only proved the contentions of the editorial.

Mr. Stalin added: “The Governor, by declining to read out the speech prepared by the State government, cannot hide the achievements of this government during the past four years. Referring to the editorial which highlighted the Tamil Nadu Governor did not respect the Constitution, the government elected by the people and the Assembly with elected representatives, Mr. Stalin contended: “His actions today [January 20] have proved this to be true.”