Context:

• The Governor of Tamil Nadu stopped reading the customary address and left the assembly at the start of the Budget session in the Tamil Nadu State Legislative Assembly.
• This event calls for delving deeper into this particular practice.

Background:

• Customary addresses are given by the President and the Governors at the first session of the year in the Parliament and the State Legislatures respectively. 
• The speeches or addresses of the Head of State for these occasions, following British practice, are drafted by the government of the day. 
• They are not written by the President of India or Governor, but only read out by them. The drafts for these are received in their offices generally very close to the event and require them to be gone through against a tight time frame. 

Reasons for conflict in this event:

• Political Differences: If the Governor belongs to a different political party than the ruling party in the state government, there may be disagreements regarding the content and priorities outlined in the address.
• Perceived Bias: The Governor may perceive the text of the address as biased against the Central government or favouring certain political interests, leading to friction and mistrust.
• Contentious Issues: The Governor’s address may touch upon contentious issues such as governance, administration, or policies that are at odds with the stance of the state government, leading to conflicts over the proposed agenda or initiatives.
• Executive vs. Constitutional Role: Conflicts may arise due to differing interpretations of the Governor’s role as a representative of the central government versus their constitutional duties to act as a neutral arbiter and guardian of the state’s interests.
• Disputes Over Protocol: Disagreements may occur over procedural matters such as the timing, format, or protocol surrounding the delivery of the address, leading to tensions between the Governor’s office and the state government.
• Power Struggles: Conflicts may stem from broader power struggles between the Governor and the state government, especially if there are attempts to assert authority or influence over governance decisions or legislative processes.
• Communication Breakdown: Poor communication or lack of coordination between the Governor’s office and the state government can exacerbate tensions and misunderstandings regarding the content and delivery of the customary address.

An Innovative Solution- British Model:

• The British model of Presidential address, often referred to as the “Throne Speech,” is a concise and formal speech delivered by the reigning monarch at the opening of Parliament or immediately after a general election. 
• Unlike the lengthy addresses common in some other countries, the Throne Speech typically outlines the broad policy objectives and legislative agenda of the government for the upcoming parliamentary session. It avoids excessive details.
• Overall, the British model of Presidential address exemplifies a balance between ceremonial tradition and practical governance, providing a concise yet comprehensive overview of the government’s agenda.
• Former President R. Venkataraman had proposed this model to the Union Government during his tenure but it was not taken up. 

Since political polarisation between the Centre which appoints Governors and the State which elects the Chief Minister is set to accelerate in the visualisable future, a way out has to be found. President Venkataraman’s suggested solution gives us that way out.