In a significant departure from the friction that marked relations between the Tamil Nadu government and the Lok Bhavan in recent years, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Thursday delivered the customary Governor’s Address in full in the first session of the 17th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, ending a three-year period during which the address had been disrupted by controversies.

The Governor read the address for about 40 minutes. The session began at 10 am with the rendition of Tamil Thai Vazhthu, followed by the National Anthem. Notably, the National Anthem was also sung at the conclusion of the Governor’s address.

The smooth conduct of the Governor’s address is being seen as an indication of a thaw in relations between the State government and Lok Bhavan after years of confrontation that frequently spilled onto the floor of the Assembly.

The development assumes significance in the backdrop of repeated stand-offs between the State government and former Governor RN Ravi, who walked out of the Assembly earlier this year and during previous sessions in 2024 and 2025, citing alleged disrespect to the National Anthem.

Describing Thursday’s proceedings as a watershed moment, Arlekar later said in a statement that the uninterrupted reading of the Governor’s address signalled the beginning of a new chapter in the functioning of the Assembly and in relations between the constitutional offices of the State.

“It brings immense satisfaction that, after a hiatus of three years, the Governor’s address was read in its entirety within the House without any disruption today,” he said.

Arlekar also highlighted the decision to render the National Anthem both at the beginning and at the end of the session, calling it a first in the Assembly’s history.

“It is no exaggeration to say that this historic event stands as a testament to upholding the dignity of democracy, successfully fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu who desire a harmonious relationship between the State Government and the Governor’s office,” he said.

“In a democracy, an administration must function with the objective of fostering an integrated and harmonious relationship across all quarters, thereby fulfilling the needs and expectations of its citizens,” he said, adding that it was “deeply gratifying” that all stakeholders had begun a collective journey towards that goal.

Published on June 18, 2026