CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu govt appears to be moving from confrontation to cooperation with Centre going by the way events unfolded as the new assembly began its first full session with governor R V Arlekar’s maiden address on Thursday.The session began with the rendition of Tamil Thai Vazhthu. The national anthem came next, and again after the governor’s address. It used to be played only at the end of the governor’s address.Governor Arlekar delivered the full text of the address prepared by the TVK govt led by C Joseph Vijay, unlike his predecessor R N Ravi, who refused to read the speeches prepared by DMK govt and walked out of the assembly over Tamil Thai Vazhthu being played before the national anthem.There was no disruption or walkout as Arlekar went on with his 37-minute speech, one of the shortest in recent years. The governor later posted on X that the address being read in full after a three-year gap marked “a new era” and was evidence of democratic dignity and a more harmonious relationship between the state govt and Lok Bhavan.“It is deeply gratifying that we have all begun our collective journey toward this very goal,” he added.Struggling to pronounce the names of TVK ideologues Periyar E V Ramasamy, K Kamaraj, B R Ambedkar, Rani Velu Nachiyar and Anjalai Ammal, Arlekar sought forgiveness.“Please forgive me for the wrong pronunciation,” he told the House. Opposition benches, including DMK and AIADMK, remained seated through the Speaker’s reading of the Tamil version of the address.Reading out the text prepared by the state govt, the governor praised Vijay as a “historical leader of our times”, crediting him with forming a govt single-handedly, overcoming barriers, vanquishing money power and triggering a “historic revolution in politics” comparable to former CMs C N Annadurai and M G Ramachandran.“The chief minister has, in a short time, achieved a feat of Himalayan scale by bringing about a new renaissance and a great, widespread whistle revolution in the political landscape of Tamil Nadu,” Arlekar said.In the address, the govt announced it would implement the “Vetri Thamizhagam” vision document over the next five years, structured around 10 pillars: Tamil identity and pride; dignified living and social security; welfare of women; welfare of youth; welfare of farmers; welfare of fishermen; world-class education; a prosperous Tamil Nadu; excellent health care and environment; and world-class infrastructure, alongside a people’s welfare govt and transparent administration.It expressed hope that the Union govt will favourably consider the demands the chief minister had raised during his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and provide necessary assistance to Tamil Nadu. Accusing the previous DMK govt of “fiscal mismanagement”, it announced it would publish a report on discriminatory treatment by the Union govt in financial devolution to Tamil Nadu.Arlekar said Tamil Nadu would become India’s model state for urban excellence. “This govt is resolved to break through every obstacle to deliver a corruption-free and honest administration and thereby to bring about an economic revival,” the governor said.
