Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh
Governor Shri SS Barnala
Chief Minister Thiru M Karunanidhi,
Speaker Mr. Avudaiappan
Distinguished guests,
Friends,

I am deeply honoured to be present on this historic occasion when the Prime Minister of India has declared open the new Legislative Assembly and Secretariat complex of Tamil Nadu.

This is not an ordinary function. It is a celebration. Today, we celebrate the addition of a new chapter to a glorious history that goes back to the year 1861. It was under the Indian Councils Act that year that a small body called the Legislative Council, began to exercise legislative power to make laws for "peace and good government". Since then, that legislative body crossed a number of milestones before finally, in July 1937 it was reconstituted as the Madras Legislative Assembly under the Government of India Act of 1935. After Independence and the adoption of the Constitution of India, this Assembly was again re-constituted in March 1952.

Each legislature has set its own unique traditions, and the Tamil Nadu one is no exception. The first woman to sit in any Indian legislature was Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy, who became a member in 1927. A nominated member, Shri C Rajagopalachari, became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. When his party lost a by-election, Rajaji asked the Legislative Assembly to vote on a motion of confidence in order that his government may continue in office.

I am told that this Assembly has witnessed great debates. Notable among them were the ones between Thiru C Subramaniam and Thiru C.N. Annadurai and between Thiru M Karunanidhi and Thiru M G Ramachandran. And, of course, there was Thiru K Kamaraj. Historians have recorded how he dominated the debates with just a few carefully chosen words. As Chief Minister for 9 years, he exemplified the saying that 'speech is silver, silence is golden'.

As I stand before you to pay tribute to the stalwarts who have guided the deliberations of this Assembly, I take this opportunity to underscore the importance of preserving the federal nature of our Constitution. The essence of its structure is, as we all know, a close and symbiotic balanced partnership among the three levels—Centre, states and local bodies. Most matters that concern development—especially social development—are in the domain of state legislatures. Further, State Legislatures are empowered - and now obliged - to transfer many of these powers to Panchayats and Municipalities so that the control over the development process is vested in public representatives at the grass roots level. These provisions enhance, and do not diminish, the federal nature of our polity. If implemented in the right spirit, these provisions will accelerate the process of inclusive growth and development.

Tamil Nadu has been a model for such growth and development in many respects. Right from the fifties, it has pioneered and shown the way in different areas like education, health, nutrition, family welfare, social security and rural development. Through the decades, its political leadership has combined a profound commitment to social justice and the empowerment of the weaker sections of society, with a continuing emphasis on pragmatic policies to accelerate industrialization and build a modern services sector based on science and technology. I applaud the many achievements of Tamil Nadu.

The people of India have reposed great faith in the parliamentary system. How else can one explain the large turnout in election after election? Men and women flock to polling stations, celebrate victories and lament defeats, even while accepting them gracefully. Therefore, it behooves legislators to take the business of a legislature seriously, which is, quite simply, to pass legislation, question ministers, debate policies and hold the executive accountable. At the same time, it must be remembered that the Constitution has declared that the executive power of the State is co-extensive with legislative power. Executive power and legislative power intersect in this Assembly, and in other State Legislatures and Parliament. Conflict between the executive and the legislature is avoided by stipulating that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly. Thus, we have a system by which the executive can effectively carry on day-to-day administration while always remaining accountable to the elected representatives of the people.

This is a resplendent building. I understand that it combines Tamil architectural styles, German design and technology and, of course, the creativity of Dr. Karunanidhi himself. He has been chief minister for eighteen years and his legislative career spans over half a century. He is the senior-most political leader in our country and since the inception of our coalition we have valued his wise counsel and support.

In a few days from today, the Legislative Assembly will hold its first meeting here. I am sure you will all miss Fort St. George with all its history and heritage but I have no doubt that this Assembly building will mark a new beginning in the legislative history of Tamil Nadu. I wish you and the people of Tamil Nadu the very best in the years to come.

Thank you.