CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Assembly witnessed high drama on Tuesday as the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) led a coordinated walkout by the Opposition, accusing the ruling DMK of suppressing debate and demanding the resignation of Chief Minister M K Stalin over an alleged collapse of law and order.
The walkout followed the Speaker’s refusal to allow a discussion on the state’s law and order situation sought by Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami. Protesting what they termed an attempt to stifle voices on issues of public concern, AIADMK legislators exited the House and were joined by members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), raising slogans against the government.
The Opposition protest came amid a tumultuous inaugural sitting of the 2026 session, which had already been jolted earlier by the Governor’s walkout. Governor R. N. Ravi left the House without delivering the customary address after insisting that the National Anthem be played following Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu—a demand the government rejected, citing long-standing Assembly convention.