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Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly convenes today for its first session of the new year, a meeting charged with electoral significance and political tension. With the announcement for the state assembly elections expected imminently, this session is widely viewed as the final legislative platform for the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government to set its agenda before facing the electorate. The proceedings begin at 9:30 AM at the Chennai Secretariat.

The Governor’s Address: A Lingering Constitutional Confrontation

The day’s focal point, however, is the scheduled Governor’s Address. Governor R.N. Ravi is set to be traditionally welcomed to the House, where he is expected to sit in the Speaker’s chair and outline the state government’s policy plans for the year. However, this constitutional formality has become the epicenter of a protracted standoff.

For the past two years, in 2024 and 2025, Governor Ravi has boycotted the address, walking out of the assembly citing procedural disagreements, including the absence of the national anthem. This repeated action has created a major stir in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape and marked an unprecedented break from convention.

Will Governor Ravi Break His Boycott Tradition?

The central question looming over the assembly today is whether Governor Ravi will break his two-year streak and deliver the address or stage another boycott. His decision carries immense symbolic weight. Adhering to tradition would signal a temporary truce in the publicly fraught relationship with the Stalin-led government. A repeat boycott would be seen as a sharp escalation of tensions and set a confrontational tone for the election season, potentially becoming a key talking point for political parties.

Session Agenda and Political Implications

Following the Governor’s Address—if it occurs—the assembly will move to other crucial business. A condolence resolution for deceased members is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21. Thursday, January 22, is allotted for a debate by MLAs to thank the Governor for his address, a discussion that promises to be politically charged. The session concludes on Friday, January 24, with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin responding to questions from members during the question hour.

A Pivotal Session on the Eve of Elections

This assembly gathering is more than a routine legislative meeting; it is a pre-election battleground. Major political formations have already kicked off their campaigns, with the DMK fighting to retain power and the AIADMK-BJP alliance aiming for a comeback. Smaller parties like Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) are also asserting their presence, heating up the political arena. Against this backdrop, the government is anticipated to roll out significant announcements and potentially new welfare schemes designed to capture public attention and define its campaign narrative in the weeks ahead.