TN Assembly session likely to be stormy as Governor vs govt standoff continues

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Chennai, Dec 21 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu Assembly session is likely to be stormy as the ongoing standoff between Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi and the DMK-led state government over appointments of Vice-Chancellors to the state universities has escalated.

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly session for 2025 will begin on January 6. The House’s Business Advisory Committee will decide the duration of the session.

This comes after the monsoon session of the Assembly earlier this year was limited to two days, primarily to pass the First Supplementary Estimates Bill.

Notably, during the 2024 Assembly session, Governor Ravi refused to deliver the customary inaugural address prepared by the state government, reading only the first paragraph before walking out. The address had included wishes for “happiness, prosperity, and well-being” in the new year and quoted a couplet from the Tirukkural.

The Governor, also the Chancellor of state universities, had asked the Tamil Nadu government to recall its December 9 notification constituting a search committee for the Vice Chancellor’s post at Annamalai University.

On Friday, Governor Ravi also demanded that similar notifications for Anna University, Bharathidasan University, and Periyar University be withdrawn, citing the absence of University Grants Commission (UGC) nominees on the search panels.

In a statement, Raj Bhavan warned that any selection made by a search committee formed without a UGC nominee is bound to be quashed by the courts.

The Governor, in a letter to the state government, pointed out that the notification for the Annamalai University Vice Chancellor search violated Supreme Court directives by not including a nominee from the UGC.

Responding to the Governor’s demands, Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan said the government had followed the laws governing state universities.

While the state government funds the universities, the Governor, as Chancellor, holds the authority to appoint Vice Chancellors.

The tenure of the former Vice Chancellor of Annamalai University, R. M. Kathiresan, ended on November 23.

–IANS

aal/svn

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Centenary AICC session in Belagavi: Siddaramaiah warns BJP of legal action over planned Waqf protest

Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 18 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday warned the BJP that if the 100 years of historic AICC session in Belagavi is obstructed, legal action would be taken.

Speaking to reporters in the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi, CM Siddaramaiah commenting on BJP’s Waqf protest coinciding with the AICC session, said, “If they attempt to obstruct the AICC session inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, legal action will be taken.”

The Congress is organising a massive national-level programme on December 26 and 27 to commemorate the event of Mahatma Gandhi becoming the AICC President and assuming the leadership role in the Independence struggle during the Belagavi Session in 1924. The BJP is planning to stage a massive protest in Belagavi in connection with the Waqf row on the same days.

“If Mahatma Gandhi had not led the freedom struggle, would we have achieved Independence? The rights we exercise today are possible only after the Constitution was enacted,” CM Siddaramaiah questioned.

He slammed, “Leaders like Golwalkar, Hedgewar and Savarkar had anti-Constitution stands. The BJP does not believe in Indian values and instead upholds the Manusmriti.”

Responding to BJP’s alleged repeated disruptions during the Belagavi session, CM Siddaramaiah said, “As the Opposition, the BJP should discuss the state’s development and government shortcomings. However, they are using the session for political purposes.”

Responding to BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra’s demand to hand over the Rs 150 crore bribery case against him and Waqf cases to the CBI, Siddaramaiah asked, “From 2008 to 2013 and 2018 to 2023, did the BJP hand over any cases to the CBI? They lack the moral ground to make such demands.”

Siddaramaiah further declared that there is no question of stopping the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, which empowers women both economically and socially. He also met and interacted with Gruha Lakshmi beneficiaries who had gathered at the Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi on Wednesday.

“I interacted with more than 25 beneficiaries who have used the funds from the Gruha Lakshmi scheme to create various opportunities for their lives. The beneficiaries detailed the benefits brought by the scheme. They expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister, concerned ministers, and the government for implementing this initiative that has brought new energy to their lives,” CM Siddaramaiah said.

He dismissed BJP’s allegation that the scheme has created disputes between daughters-in-law and mothers-in-law within households. “Today, mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law attended the programme together in large numbers and spoke positively about the benefits they received from the scheme.”

“It is heartening to see women becoming economically and socially empowered through this initiative. Therefore, we will continue this scheme to strengthen women,” the Chief Minister added.

Responding to the media regarding BJP MLAs meeting him, Siddaramaiah said they had requested for the development of roads in Bengaluru city.

–IANS

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