TN guv refuses to read govt speech

Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi on Monday skipped his entire speech customarily read at the start of the budget session of the assembly, saying he disagreed with numerous passages on "moral and factual" grounds, sparking a political controversy.

- Divya Chandrababu

Ravi walked out of the House after speaker M Appavu read out the Tamil version of his speech.

The governor's address on the first day when the House convenes for the year is customarily prepared by the state government. While Ravi was walking out, the DMK-led government passed a resolution to record the approved speech. The session began at 10am with the state anthem (Tamil Thai Vazhthu). Ravi began soon after by quoting Tamil philosopher Thirvalluvar and complaining that his repeated requests to "show due respect to the national anthem" by playing it at the beginning and end of the address were ignored.