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Chennai: The first session of the newly elected Tamil Nadu assembly commenced on Thursday with the customary address by the Governor, setting the stage for what is expected to be a stormy and politically charged session. The House will continue its proceedings until June 23, with the ruling TVK government led by Chief Minister Joseph Vijay facing an aggressive opposition from both the DMK and AIADMK.

The session is expected to witness heated debates over a range of contentious issues, including the defection of four rebel AIADMK MLAs who resigned from their party and subsequently joined the ruling TVK. The opposition has alleged horse-trading and is likely to question the Speaker’s decision to accept their resignations while disqualification proceedings remain pending. The MLAs had voted in support of the Vijay government during the confidence motion, allegedly in violation of the AIADMK whip.

Apart from the political controversy, the opposition is expected to target the government over frequent power cuts, law and order concerns, and the implementation of the recently announced farm loan waiver scheme. Rising incidents of crime, particularly crimes against women and children, are also likely to dominate discussions in the House.

The tragic death of a three-year-old girl following an alleged sexual assault in Gummidipoondi has sparked widespread outrage, with opposition parties preparing to demand answers from the government on public safety and policing.

Another flashpoint is expected to be the White Paper released by the TVK government on Tamil Nadu’s finances. The document accuses the previous DMK government led by MK Stalin of pushing the state into a severe debt trap, a charge the DMK is expected to strongly contest during the session.

Political observers believe the brief session could become a battleground between the ruling TVK and the opposition, with both sides looking to score points ahead of the government’s maiden budget for 2026-27.

The Assembly is expected to reconvene in July, when the Vijay government will present its first full budget, followed by discussions on departmental demands for grants.

Sub-head: Horse-trading allegations, rebel AIADMK MLAs, power cuts, crime concerns and Tamil Nadu’s debt row likely to trigger heated exchanges in the House.