Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Saturday turned into a battlefield with Speaker P. Dhanapal being shoved around by the DMK legislators angered by his refusal to order secret ballot to decide on the confidence vote. He alleged that his shirt was torn and the main Opposition targeted him only because he was a Dalit.
Sasikala loyalist E.K. Palanisami won the trust vote 122-11, amid stormy scenes during which mikes were uprooted, chairs toppled and sheets of papers torn.
Trouble erupted within minutes of the House assembling at 11am for allowing Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami to prove his majority.
As soon as the Speaker began the session with a reading of Thirukkural, rebel AIADMK legislator S. Semmalai rose to complain that there was no safety for the MLAs (of OPS group). “I have already given you a petition about this and you must ensure our protection,” he said.
Mr Dhanapal said he would ensure the legislators’ safety. Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin was on his feet alleging that the police stopped him while he was coming for the Assembly session. “We were checked by the police and brought here like criminals from jail,” the DMK leader said.
We are Amma’s team, says Panneerselvam
Alleging that the legislators who voted for CM Edappadi K. Palanisami during the vote of confidence have betrayed late CM J. Jayalalithaa, former CMO. Panneerselvam said people of the state will decide whether Mr Palani-sami’s victory is valid or not.
“From 11 am till 3 pm, the DMK members were forcibly evicted and injured (in the process) and the resolution (electing Mr Palanisami) was passed in the Assembly. This is against democracy. Whether this is valid or not, it is the people who will deliver the (real) verdict,” Mr Panneerselvam said. Speaking to reporters at the secretariat, he said the MLAs would know the people’s feelings when they visit their respective Assembly constituencies.
