Facts About the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly ๐Ÿ›๏ธ

The present state of Tamil Nadu is a residuary part of the erstwhile Madras Presidency and was formerly known as Madras State. The first legislature of any sort for the Presidency was the Madras Legislative Council, which was set up as a non-representative advisory body in 1861.

๐Ÿ“œ Early Legislative History

In 1919, direct elections were introduced with the introduction of diarchy under the Government of India Act 1919. Between 1920 and 1937, the Legislative Council was a unicameral legislature for the Madras Presidency. The Government of India Act 1935 abolished diarchy and created a bicameral legislature in the Madras Presidency, with the Legislative Assembly becoming the Lower House.

๐Ÿ—ณ๏ธ Post-Independence Formation

After the Republic of India was established in 1950, the Madras Presidency became the Madras State, and the bicameral setup continued. The Madras State’s assembly strength was 375, and the first assembly was constituted in 1952. The current state was formed in 1956 after the reorganisation of states, and the strength of the assembly was reduced to 206.

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Assembly Locations

The Legislative Assembly is seated at the Fort St. George, Chennai, which has historically been the seat of the Government of Tamil Nadu since colonial times. During 1921โ€“37, the precursor to the assembly met at the council chambers within the fort. Between 14 July 1937 โ€“ 21 December 1938, the assembly met at the Senate House of the University of Madras.

๐Ÿ“Š Key Facts Table

Year Event Assembly Strength Notes
1861 Madras Legislative Council established N/A Non-representative advisory body
1952 First election under universal adult suffrage 375 First assembly of Madras State
1956 States Reorganisation Act 206 Reduced from 375
1965 Strength increased 234 Remains constant to present
1969 Renamed Tamil Nadu 234 Assembly became Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
1986 Legislative Council abolished 234 Became unicameral
2026 Seventeenth Assembly constituted 234 Hung Assembly, TVK became single largest party
๐Ÿ” The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly evolved from a non-representative advisory council in 1861 to a unicameral legislature after the Legislative Council was abolished in 1986. Its strength changed from 375 in 1952 to 234 in 1965, remaining constant since then. The assembly has been housed at multiple locations including Fort St. George, the Senate House, and the Omandurar Government Estate before returning to Fort St. George.