CHENNAI: All eyes are on the customary address of Governor Rajendra Arlekar when the first session of the 17th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly begins on Thursday, with expectations about the policy announcements of the TVK government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, and whether the proceedings will remain free from controversy amid the lingering debate over the rendition of ‘Thamizh Thai Vaazhthu’ (invocation to Mother Tamil) and ‘Vande Mataram’ (national song).
The governor has consistently favoured rendering ‘Vande Mataram’ first at his official functions and had recently raised objections to a partial rendition of the song in the Kerala Assembly.
Since senior ministers in the TVK government have assured that ‘Thamizh Thai Vaazhthu’ will be rendered first in state government events, this practice will also be followed on Thursday.
The governor’s address is expected to outline the TVK government’s policy priorities and major initiatives for the coming years. Among the announcements anticipated are measures to revive the state’s economy, ensure transparent and corruption-free governance, strengthen citizen-centric service delivery, promote the use of AI in governance and introduce welfare measures for the elderly and children, which were part of the TVK’s election promises.
Meanwhile, the Opposition led by the DMK and the AIADMK that has lost four of its MLAs to the TVK are preparing to corner the government. They are expected to raise issues such as the law and order situation, sexual assaults on women and children and criticisms surrounding the White Paper on the state’s finances.
Meanwhile, Speaker J C D Prabhakar constituted a 17-member Business Advisory Committee comprising CM Vijay, Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and representatives of Congress, VCK, IUML and PMK.
The two-day orientation programme for newly-elected MLAs concluded here on Wednesday. The CM interacted with them. Sources said he advised the MLAs and ministers to redress the grievances of the people speedily.
On Wednesday, the four AIADMK MLAs facing disqualification proceedings for going against the party whip during the TVK government’s confidence vote met the speaker and submitted their replies to the notice issued on June 9, seeking their explanation.