All eyes would be on two seats in the 234-member House the CM’s chair and second row in the Opposition
Chief Minister Panneerselvam fired a fresh salvo urging Karunanidhi to attend the December 4 session and discharge his democratic duty
Chennai: When Speaker P. Dhanapal convenes the session in little over a week, all eyes would be on two seats in the 234-member House — the CM’s chair and the second row in the Opposition. And the question on everyone’s mind will be whether the Speaker will provide special space to wheelchair ridden DMK MLA M. Karunanidhi in the House, as was desired by him and where will Chief Minister Panneerselvam, who chooses not to sit in the CM’s chamber in Fort St George, sit in the Assembly?
In the backdrop of the war of words between Panneerselvam and Karunanidhi over the past week, both these questions are creating a buzz in the political circles.On Wednesday, Panneerselvam fired a fresh salvo, recalling several past instances of pandemonium created by the DMK in the House when in power and said, “Karunanidhi should attend the December 4 session and discharge his democratic duty if he has the courage and substance to criticise the TN government in the House and if his legislature party leader Stalin permits him to speak.”
A senior AIADMK leader requesting anonymity said, “I don't see even a remote possibility of the Chair providing the space requested by Karunanidhi. Considering his health condition and inability to walk normally, a concession can be given and space created for him to roll in his wheel chair in to the Assembly.” Writer and political commentator Gnani said: “World over, all buildings are being made disabled friendly.
Any physically challenged person or person with physical discomfort elected to the Assembly has the right to demand space. It does not matter if Karunanidhi sits or stands. The question is about allowing everyone in the Opposition to speak without suspending or expelling him or her from the House.”“We allotted a corner seat to Jayalalithaa when she was in opposition. They have given space to kalaignar in the second row. How can he reach there?” questions Durai Murugan, deputy leader DMK legislature party.
“Our leader is asking for space for three years now. When requested, the Parliament Speaker provides exclusive space for disabled MPs. AIADMK’s problem is not space. They are scared of our leader. There is not one in the ruling party who is competent enough to answer or face our leader in the Assembly.”
Lone woman Congress MLA S.Vijayadharani says, “His request is justified. Karunanidhi or any old MLA with physical discomfort should be given space to freely move in and out using wheel chair. If he does not attend even after being given space for free movement, then it is purely political.”
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