T.N. CM Stalin hails Supreme Court verdict on Governor Ravi’s assent to Bills as victory for all State governments

The apex court had come down heavily on Mr. Ravi, stating the reservation of 10 Bills by him for consideration of the President was in contravention of Constitutional provisions.

The Supreme Court judgment, invoking its powers to declare 10 pending Bills withheld by Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi for President’s assent effectively approved on Tuesday (April 8, 2025), was a huge victory not only for Tamil Nadu but for all State governments in the country, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said in the Assembly.

He broke the “good news” on the floor of the Legislative Assembly. The apex court had come down heavily on Mr. Ravi, stating the reservation of 10 Bills by him for consideration of the President was in contravention of Constitutional provisions.

Amidst thumping of desks by members of the DMK and its allies, Mr. Stalin said: “Tamil Nadu struggled to protect the DMK’s principles, such as State autonomy and federalism. Tamil Nadu will struggle, Tamil Nadu will win!” “On behalf of the Tamil Nadu government, the MLAs, and the people of Tamil Nadu who elected us, I thank the Supreme Court for having protected the rights of the State Legislative Assemblies enshrined in our Constitution,” Mr. Stalin said.

Recalling the steps taken by the DMK government through litigation in the Supreme Court against the Governor R.N. Ravi over the Bills adopted in the House, Mr. Stalin termed the Supreme Court verdict “historic”

Leader of the House and Minister Duraimurugan also termed it “historic” and recalled how the House discussed the Rajamannar Committee report on State autonomy when former DMK leader M. Karunanidhi was Chief Minister in 1974.

Like ancient Chola emperor Rajendra Chola and Pallava emperor Narasimhavarman I, Mr. Stalin did his father proud, Mr. Duraimurugan said. During his speech, Speaker M. Appavu congratulated the Chief Minister on behalf of the House.

All political parties represented in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, except the AIADMK and the BJP, welcomed the Supreme Court judgment and lauded the DMK government and the Chief Minister’s efforts in this regard.

On Mr. Stalin’s appeal to members of the DMK and its allies in the House, they thumped the desks yet again to applaud the Supreme Court judgment. After the House was adjourned for the day, DMK MLAs were seen sharing sweets to those present on the Assembly campus.