Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has on Wednesday asserted that his reign will continue to say the Center as the 'Union Government'. He was addressing at the ongoing assembly session to a question raised by a BJP MLA. The Chief Minister said that the state government is practising calling the Center as the Union Government under the principles of federalism. 

The first session of the current and 16th assembly is underway at the Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai. The session had begun with the customary speech of Governor Banwarilal Purohit and it will be held till June 24. The session floor is currently hosting the debates over the Governor's speech and announcement. 

As the DMK government has started referring to the Center as the 'Union government' since it has come to power, it has become one of the factors of debates in the assembly. The new practice is unprecedented in the state, which was using the word 'Central government'. The DMK's measure of replacing the term with 'Union government' has stirred a political debate across and beyond the state. 

As DMK follows the principle of federalism, it has started using the term 'Union government'. On Wednesday, BJP MLA Nainar Nagendran had asked the government about the usage of the term 'Union government'. Responding to his question, Chief Minister MK Stalin has said, "Union is not a wrong word and we are using 'Union government' under the principles of federalism." 

He added, "Using the term Union government shouldn't be seen as a social crime". The Chief Minister has quoted the Indian constitution and said that the constitution defines India as a union of states. Earlier, while addressing the assembly, the Governor had emphasized state autonomy and federalism and said that the state government will sternly stand in defence of the rights of the states and constitutionally oppose any infringement of such rights. 

He said, "At the same time, we (Tamil Nadu) will maintain a cordial relationship with the Union government as partners in the process of nation-building, in line with our policy of extending our hand in friendship, even as we speak up for our rights." By highlighting that the government is guided by the ethos of the Dravidian movement, Purohit said social justice, gender equality, economic equity, the opportunity for all through reservations, and progress through education and social reforms will drive every legislation and every scheme of the new government.