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Stalin leads protest by suspended DMK MLAs, party targets Speaker
Party MLAs were evicted from the assembly and suspended for a week following a ruckus over an ‘unparliamentary remark’ by an AIADMK member over the DMK’s pre-election roadshow.
The Leader of the Opposition MK Stalin on Thursday led 79 DMK legislators, suspended for unruly behaviour inside the House for a week on Wednesday, in a sit-in outside the Tamil Nadu assembly.
Stalin and his party MLAs were evicted from the assembly and suspended for a week following a ruckus over an ‘unparliamentary remark’ by an AIADMK member over the DMK’s pre-election roadshow.
Speaker P Dhanapal ordered a week-long suspension for all the DMK members after state finance minister and Leader of the House O Panneerselvam moved a resolution against the Opposition.
On Thursday, Dhanapal rejected a request for a reconsideration of their suspension, saying that it was not possible at all. The request was made by DMK legislators, who were not suspended as they did not attend House on Wednesday, the Congress and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MLAs.
It is for the first time that any opposition party has resorted to a peaceful protest outside the assembly. Stalin even alleged that he was prevented from visiting his office room inside the premises.
“We are not allowed to be seen anywhere inside the assembly premises. The room allotted to the Leader of Opposition is blocked and I cannot even enter,” Stalin told reporters.
Gate No 4 that is used by opposition MLAs has also been locked, he said.
“We have been demanding live telecast of assembly proceedings. But this has never been accepted by the AIADMK government. If there was a live telecast of the assembly proceedings, people would have come to know who is in the wrong - the DMK or the ruling benches,” Stalin said.
Senior DMK leader Durai Murugan said no speaker has the authority to lock out MLAs from the premises. The speaker acted without knowing the rules and regulations and his own powers, he alleged.
“I am going to bring a privilege motion against the speaker,” Durai Murugan said.
AIADMK spokesperson CR Saraswathi dismissed the DMK’s charges and said that television clippings clearly show how DMK members behave. She also lashed out at DMK supremo M Karunanidhi, saying he comes to the House just to sign the register and take his salary.
