DMK govt wantonly prevents delivery of customary address, says Palaniswami

CHENNAI: Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday stated that Governor RN Ravi did not boycott the Assembly proceedings and accused the DMK government of "acting deliberately" to prevent the gubernatorial head from delivering his customary speech at the first session of the year.

He added that the Tamil Nadu Assembly has consistently followed this tradition, and there has been no change in it. However, Palaniswami told the media outside the State Assembly that the ruling government deliberately attempted to prevent the Governor from delivering his speech in the House.

Ever since the DMK government came to power, the customary Governor's address has effectively been turned into the "Speaker's address," he said. He added that this has been the case for the past three consecutive years.

Commenting on the Governor's speech, which the Speaker read out, Palaniswami pointed out that no new schemes or projects had been announced for the year, with the same old topics getting repeated in the 2025 address.

Not politicising, but demanding justice for victim in Anna Univ case, says EPS

Regarding the party's protest over the Anna University sexual assault case, with members wearing badges that read 'Who is that Sir?', the LoP explained that the protest was aimed to draw the government's attention and demand justice for the victim. He also questioned the silence of Chief Minister MK Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin over the issue.

Continuing in the same vein, he strongly suspected that the present government might be attempting to protect someone involved in the Anna University case. He pointed to the contradictory statements made by Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan and Commissioner of Greater Chennai Police N Arun about the case. The AIADMK chief said the government has failed to instill confidence in the government's approach.

Palaniswami claimed credit for the Madras High Court's intervention in the incident, which it took up case suo motu. He noted that AIADMK office bearers and advocate R Varalakshmi had filed a writ petition, prompting the court to act.

Responding to the High Court's observation that the issue was being politicised, Palaniswami rejected the claim, emphasising that they had no intention of doing so. "Under this present regime, there is no safety for girls of any age. They are facing sexual assault, and parents are fearful for their children's safety," he said, citing the sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl in Chennai and an 80-year-old woman in Krishnagiri.

"The CM is scared of black," he added, referring to an incident in which women attending the government programme on Sunday were asked to leave behind their black dupattas. He also recalled a statement by former CPM state secretary K Balakrishnan regarding the denial of permission for their conference and protests, adding that if even the DMK's allies are finding it difficult to hold protests and demonstrations, one can imagine the situation for the opposition parties.

Earlier in the day, the AIADMK students wing, led by its state secretary Singai Ramachandran, staged a protest in front of Anna University over the sexual assault incident.