CHENNAI: The 13th Tamil Nadu Assembly got off to a start on Wednesday with pro tem Speaker D. Sudarsanam administering the oath to the newly elected members.

Mr. Sudarsanam opened the proceedings with the customary recitation of a Thirukkural couplet and then explained the oath-taking procedure to the members. He told the members that people had elected them as their representatives and it was their duty to fulfil their aspirations.

Except five members, including former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam president Vijayakant, all others took the oath. After taking the oath they signed the register.

First to take oath

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was the first to take the oath followed by his 30 Cabinet colleagues, Opposition leader O. Panerselvam belonging to the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, former AIADMK Ministers, leaders of legislature parties and other members.

Standing ovation

DMK MLAs gave a standing ovation after Mr. Karunanidhi and the pary's youth wing leader M.K.Stalin took the oath.

While all MLAs of the DMK, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Pattali Makkal Katchi, Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) took the oath in the name of conscience, a majority of AIADMK and Congress members took it in the name of God.

Democratic Progressive Alliance members were all smiles as they entered the House and exchanged pleasantries. The AIADMK MLAs looked rather grim on the Opposition Benches.

Elections announced

After the ceremony, Mr. Sudarasanam announced that elections to the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker would take place on May 19. Nominations would close by Thursday noon.

Later talking to reporters, Mr. Sudarasanam said those who could not take the oath could do so in the House on Friday or his chamber on Thursday. He said three CPI members could not take the oath as they were busy with a party function at Tiruvarur.

Mr. Karunanidhi, who was in the House for about an hour, later left for Tiruvarur where he addressed a public meeting in the night.

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