CHENNAI: The Opposition DMK that boycotted the first day of the Assembly session, which began with the Governor Banwarilal Purohit’s address, on Monday, claimed the Governor should have ordered the Edappadi K. Palaniswami government to face a floor test.
DMK working president M.K. Stalin, who led the Opposition-boycott by staging a walkout from the House, claimed that the ruling AIADMK had the support of only 111 MLAs in a 235-strong House. “As there is a situation of a minority government being in power, the Governor should have asked it to prove its majority instead of reading out an address prepared by the state government goes against democracy,” Mr Stalin told reporters outside the House.
He also expressed his party's displeasure over the governor visiting various districts and holding meetings with state government officials, contending that it was “against the Constitution.” Asked if the DMK would move a no-confidence motion against the government, he said he had already made it clear that he would do so if an opportunity arose. “Right now, there is a court case,” he replied. On the possibility of working with AIADMK rebel leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran, Mr. Stalin ruled out “such scope.” The Governor's address, he said, had no mention of many issues, including the debt situation and how the government plans to address the decline in industrial growth.
Meanwhile, Dhinakaran too demanded the Governor to order a floor test. “As far as I know, there are only 111 (AIADMK) members supporting Palaniswami. For the Governor, who is in a position to see if the Chief Minister has the majority, it is wrong on his part to address as if endorsing this government,” Dhinakaran told reporters.
He claimed the CM himself was “not hopeful” of the government fulfilling its term and said the ruling benches “concealed their own fears” by thumping desks in the House today.
He was apparently referring to cheering by the AIADMK members whenever Mr. Purohit mentioned Mr. Palaniswami's name in his address. The state government was “afraid” of the Centre, Dhinakaran claimed and termed the Governor's address an “eyewash” and a “ritual.”
Asked if he would support a no-confidence motion in case the opposition brings it against the government, he replied that he had already announced support to such a move.
