Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Assembly will on Monday begin the debate on the Motion of Thanks to Governor K. Rosaiah’s address to the House that would end with Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa’s reply on Thursday.
The first session of the 15th Tamil Nadu Assembly began on June 16 with Mr Rosaiah’s address and the following day, the House was adjourned after paying rich tributes to deceased MLA S . M. Seenivel.
On Monday, Finance Minister and Leader of the House O. Panneerselvam is expected to move the motion of thanks to Governor's address and speak about the achievements of the erstwhile Jayalalithaa Government and also the priorities of the new administration that was sworn in on May 23.
Representatives of all political parties in the Tamil Nadu Assembly would participate in the debate on the Motion of Thanks and put forth their views on the Governor's address. Ministers and MLAs representing the AIADMK are expected to laud Ms Jayalalithaa and the Government for implementing people-friendly welfare measures which has kept the party in the seat of power for a second consecutive term.
The Opposition DMK, which has 89 MLAs, is expected to field its top-notch speakers in an attempt to put the government on the mat and the offensive against the government is expected to be led by none other than Opposition Leader M.K. Stalin himself.
Mr Stalin criticised the Governor's Address calling it “Amma Time Table”, accusing the AIADMK government of not specifying a timeline for implementation of several existing schemes and new projects announced in the speech.
The smooth passage of the Governor's Address without any disruption and expulsion after a long time in the history of Tamil Nadu politics has raised hopes of constructive debate in the State Assembly. However, political observers say the newfound amity between the ruling party and Opposition would be put to real test on Monday when the political debate on the floor of the Assembly would begin.
The debate, which begins Monday, would continue till Thursday when Ms Jayalalithaa will reply to the Motion of Thanks to the Governor's address. During her address, the Chief Minister is expected to outline the achievements of her previous administration and speak in detail about her plans for the state in the next five years.
After her reply, the House would take up some legislative business and it would be adjourned sine die. The next session of the Assembly would begin in mid-July during which the Budget for the year 2016-2107 would be presented.
