Chennai, Jan. 20 -- Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M Appavu on Tuesday defended the conduct of the state assembly after Governor RN Ravi walked out before delivering his inaugural address, saying the Governor has a constitutional duty to read the government's speech.

"You all watched who switched off the mic. There are 234 MLAs inside the Assembly. It is the duty of the Governor to read the government speech," Appavu said.

On the 13 points of objection raised by the Governor, he said, "It is for the people to criticise the government. The Governor is not a politician. If he wants to do so, he should come out of the Governor's post and talk. He has a duty to work under the Constitution and its framework."

Appavu added that the assembly had...