TN special assembly session witnesses drama, re-adoption of Bills

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Assembly on Saturday re-adopted 10 Bills for which Governor RN Ravi had held his assent.

Meanwhile, AIADMK and BJP staged a walkout for different reasons.

The House also adopted a resolution moved by Chief Minister M K Stalin to take up for reconsideration, 10 bills returned by State Governor RN Ravi.

Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami led the walkout of AIADMK alleging that former CM J Jayalalithaa’s name was removed from the Fisheries University bill.

Also Read: Special Assembly session: AIADMK legislators stage walkout

Earlier, Stalin, moving the resolution, said without giving any reasons, that Ravi had returned the Bills, mentioning "I withhold Assent" to them. While 2 bills each were adopted by the House in 2020 and 2023, six others were passed last year.

He said the House takes note that under the provision to Article 200 of the Constitution of India if the above said Bills are passed again and presented to the Governor for assent, he "shall not withhold assent therefrom.”

“This House resolves that under rule 143 of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly rules, the following Bills may be reconsidered by this Assembly," the resolution moved by Stalin said.

The CM also made a stinging attack on Ravi, alleging the Governor was keen to block the government's initiatives.

"He returned the Bills due to his personal whims and fancies. It is undemocratic and anti-people to not give assent to them", the CM said.

He alleged that non-BJP-ruled states were being targeted through Governors, apparently by the Centre.