TN Governor Ravi boycotts Assembly, leaves House in a huff

This is the second time that Ravi had boycotted the Assembly in the first session of the year

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Touching a new low in the relationship between the DMK government and the Raj Bhavan, Governor RN Ravi boycotted the Assembly, leaving the House in a huff in protest against the national anthem not being sung at the commencement of the session on Monday morning.

In the Tamil Nadu Assembly, it is customary to sing the Tamil Thai Vazhthu (invocation to Mother Tamil) at the beginning of the session and the National Anthem at the conclusion. On his arrival at the House, Ravi asked that the national anthem be sung at the beginning itself. But, Speaker M Appavu commenced the session with the singing of the invocation to Tamil.

A visibly upset Governor left the House in a huff within three minutes of his arrival. Earlier, he was given a ceremonial guard of honour and the Speaker received him with a bouquet. It is customary for the Assembly to commence the first session of the year with the Governor's address, prepared by the government.