The amendment minister raises a question during question hour in the Tamil Nadu Assembly

Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday | Photo credit: PTI

Although Tamil Nadu Assembly procedures do not allow a minister to raise a question during question hour, Speaker JCD Prabhakar on Monday (August 31, 2026) allowed Agriculture Minister R. Vinoth to raise a question regarding the preparations for the Mahamaham festival in Kumbakonam scheduled for 2028.

DMK member EV Velu questioned whether this was permissible. The Speaker said that although it was not part of the proceedings of the Assembly, he would allow the Minister to raise the question as it related to a very important event. He also said that the Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) could respond if he was ready to do so.

HR&CE Minister Ramesh said that he has already met the District Collector and other officials to discuss preparations for Mahamaham. He said the Heritage Committee has visited the temples in connection with the kumbabishekam and the government will speed up the work for the event, which is expected to attract devotees from all over the world.

CM Vijay holds a meeting with ministers in the assembly

In another unusual development, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay left his seat in the Assembly and sat with other ministers. He sat next to the Minister of Public Works (PWD) and watched the proceedings.

He also sat with other ministers during the meeting last week.

Published – 31 Aug 2026 14:38 IST