Unprecedented scenes in Kerala, Tamil Nadu assemblies over policy address

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor R.V. Arlekar's decision to modify the policy address to the Kerala Assembly has sparked controversy. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan read out the portions omitted by the Governor and announced that the parts added by the Governor would be removed. A resolution was also passed to this effect. This is the first such incident in the history of the Kerala Assembly.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly also witnessed a government-Governor face-off on the same day. Governor R.N. Ravi boycotted the House without reading the policy address, citing the House's refusal to sing the national anthem at the beginning. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin moved a resolution against the Governor.

In Kerala, the Chief Minister intervened after the Governor left the House. Raj Bhavan later issued a clarification note stating that the government had agreed to appropriate amendments. In the past, when Governors omitted portions of the policy address, the government usually raised objections during the discussion on the motion of thanks. The discussion on the motion of thanks will begin tomorrow.

Portions omitted by the Governor

1. From paragraph 12:
“As a result of the Union government’s continued adverse actions that weaken the constitutional principles of fiscal federalism, Kerala is facing a severe financial crisis.”

2. From paragraph 15:
“Bills passed by state legislatures have been pending for a long time. On these issues, my government has approached the Supreme Court, and the matters have been referred to a Constitution Bench.”

Portion added
In paragraph 16, the sentence stating that the states’ share of taxes and Finance Commission grants are constitutional rights and not acts of generosity was read, but the Governor added the words “my government believes” to it.

‘Goat does not need a beard, Tamil Nadu does not need a Governor'
This was the fourth time that Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi has boycotted the Assembly. On Tuesday, he insisted that the national anthem be sung before the policy address. However, Speaker M. Appavu said the established practice is to sing “Tamil Thai Vazhthu” at the beginning and the national anthem at the end. Upset by this, the Governor walked out of the House. During his speech, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin remarked, “Just as a goat does not need a beard, Tamil Nadu does not need a Governor,” recalling a statement made by former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai.