Chennai: DMK legislators kicked up a ruckus in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Friday after the House passed a resolution against their party chief M. Karunanidhi based on a recommendation of the Privileges Committee on a breach of privilege issue raised by housing minister R. Vaithilingam in August last year.
Based on a complaint from R.Vaithilingam, the Privilege Committee had taken up the issue and passed the resolution strongly condemning the DMK patriarch.
The complaint relates to the DMK president who had made certain remarks on August 25, 2015 based on what the minister had not said on the floor of the assembly. On August 30, 2015, Karunanidhi had published these remarks in the party daily.
The matter was then referred to the privilege committee and after deliberation, the Committee on January 21, adopted a resolution strongly condemning Karunanidhi for making these remarks. The Committee held that this would amount to the breach of privilege of Vaithilingam.
The punishment would deter others from making such false statements against a member of the House. However, considering his age, the committee had decided only to condemn him and not take any further action.
Soon after the Question Hour, DMK legislators tried to raise the issue but the Speaker P. Dhanapal said they can speak after moving the proposal by the Privilege Committee chairperson and deputy speaker, Pollachi V. Jayaraman. However, angry DMK MLAs insisted on discussing the issue first. When Dhanapal refused, DMK MLAs, led by party treasurer M.K. Stalin and Duraimuran, raised their voices and caused pandemonium in the House for more than 10 minutes.
A few DMK MLAs rushed to the Speaker's chair and attempted to squat near him. Raising slogans against the Speaker they also tore booklets and threw the pieces of paper around the House.
Meanwhile, the Leader of the House and finance and PWD minister O Panneerselvam moved the resolution for accepting the recommendation of the committee, which was adopted by voice vote.
Protesting against this, DMK MLAs raised slogans saying the Speaker was acting in an autocratic manner. Dhanapal warned them not to indulge in unruly behaviour and said he would initiate stern action against them.
When the MLAs continued to cause ruckus, Dhanapal ordered their eviction and soon the watch and ward staff evicted DMK MLAs.
CPI-M Legislator A. Sounderrajan also attempted to raise the issue. Dhanapal informed him that his party MLA was a member of the Privilege Committee and asked why A Laser had not opposed the proposal when it was moved in the committee. Dhanapal refused to allow him to speak on the issue. Protesting against this, his party MLAs staged a walkout.
Similarly, Puthiya Tamilagam MLA, K. Krishnasamy also staged a walkout. Speaking to reporters outside, he said that Privilege Committee move was not acceptable.
