Tamil Nadu Assembly Session Begins Amid Uncertainty Over Governor's Address

The Tamil Nadu Assembly's first session of 2026 is scheduled to begin on January 20, with Governor R.N. Ravi's customary address to the House uncertain amid ongoing tensions with the M.K. Stalin-led government. Traditionally, the Governor delivers an English address followed by a Tamil version read by the Speaker, concluding the opening day. However, since 2023, Governor Ravi has altered or skipped parts of the address and walked out in protest over the non-playing of the national anthem at session commencement, diverging from the Assembly's tradition of starting with the state anthem, Tamil Thai Valthu. The session is expected to be contentious ahead of the April elections.