Tue Jan 20 05:27:42 UTC 2026: # Tamil Nadu Governor Walks Out of Assembly for Fourth Consecutive Year, Citing “Misleading Statements”

The Story: On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi walked out of the Legislative Assembly without delivering the customary address on the opening day of the first session of the year. This marks the fourth consecutive year the Governor has taken such action. Following the walkout, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin moved a resolution to record only the approved text of the Governor’s address, which was then read by the Speaker.

Lok Bhavan issued a statement justifying the Governor’s actions, claiming the prepared address contained “unsubstantiated claims and misleading statements” and that the Governor was prevented from speaking. The statement cited issues such as inflated investment claims, rising crime rates (POCSO & sexual molestation cases) , drug abuse, atrocities against Dalits, high suicide rates, declining education standards, defunct village panchayats, mismanagement of temples, and struggles of the MSME sector.

Key Points

  • Governor R.N. Ravi walked out of the Tamil Nadu Assembly on January 20, 2026, without delivering the customary address.
  • This is the fourth consecutive year Mr. Ravi has walked out of the Assembly (2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026).
  • Chief Minister M.K. Stalin moved a resolution to take on record only the approved text of the Governor’s address.
  • Lok Bhavan (Governor’s office) issued a statement citing “unsubstantiated claims and misleading statements” in the prepared address.
  • The Governor’s office claims the speech contained inflated investment figures (₹12 lakh crores), ignored rising crime rates (55% increase in POCSO cases, 33% increase in sexual molestation), high suicide rates (20,000 suicides in one year), and other critical issues.

Critical Analysis

The consistent pattern of Governor Ravi walking out of the Assembly suggests a deep and persistent conflict between the Governor’s office and the Tamil Nadu state government. The stated reasons for the walkouts, focusing on alleged misrepresentation of facts and suppression of critical issues, indicate a fundamental disagreement on the state’s governance and performance. The recent news context related to ED raids and bribery allegations against a Tamil Nadu Minister’s aides adds another layer of complexity. Although there is no direct connection, it may reflect an ongoing struggle for power and control between the State and Union Governments.

Key Takeaways

  • The ongoing conflict between the Tamil Nadu Governor and the state government reflects a potential breakdown in cooperative governance.
  • The allegations made by the Governor’s office raise serious questions about the accuracy of the state government’s reported achievements and its handling of critical social issues.
  • The repeated walkouts highlight a lack of consensus and communication between the Governor and the state government, potentially hindering effective governance.
  • The timing of ED raids could be viewed with some level of suspicion given the consistent confrontation between the Governor and the state government.
  • The consistent nature of the events suggests that this is not just a one-time dispute, but rather a continuing governance issue.

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