The first Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly session of the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) coalition government begins in Chennai on Wednesday, opening with the Governor’s address.
TVK won 108 seats in the recent Assembly election and formed the government. Vijay assumed office as Chief Minister on May 10, MLAs took oath on May 11, and the Speaker and Deputy Speaker were elected on May 12. Speaker Prabhakar was elected unopposed, and the government proved its majority on May 13, when 25 AIADMK MLAs unexpectedly voted in support.
After that, the House was adjourned without a date. Five AIADMK MLAs have resigned, and Chief Minister Vijay has resigned as the MLA from Tiruchirappalli East, leaving six constituencies vacant within a month of the election.
The coalition cabinet includes Congress, VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League, while the two Communist parties are extending outside support. The ministry has 34 ministers. The government has prepared the Governor’s speech and sent it to Raj Bhavan (Lok Bhavan), and Governor Rajendra Arlekar is scheduled to address the Assembly at 10 am.
With many ministers and ruling-party MLAs being first-timers, the Assembly Secretariat conducted a two-day training programme at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai on House procedures and responding to opposition questions, with inputs from departmental secretaries. Opposition parties are expected to raise issues including law and order during the debate on the motion of thanks. Only select proceedings—such as the Governor’s address, Question Hour, and speeches by the Chief Minister and ministers—are expected to be telecast live.
