CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker R. Avudaiappan on Saturday said the bicameral system, that was in vogue in many Commonwealth countries, was good for Tamil Nadu.

Mr. Avudaiappan, who was a member of the Indian delegation led by Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) held in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, from September 6, told reporters here there was scope for restoration of the bicameral system of legislature in the State.

Participants at the conference favoured giving adequate representation to women in legislatures.

The idea of providing due representation for women in legislatures was uniformly accepted by the delegates.

Asked if the proposal for earmarking 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and Assemblies was appreciated by participants from other countries, he said the delegates were for giving importance to the role of women in legislatures.

He presented some books on Tamil language and literature including the English translation of Thirukkural to the delegates of other Commonwealth countries.

Mr. Avudaiappan said apart from Abuja, he visited London, Zurich, Geneva, Frankfurt, Berlin, Rome and Paris, where the Indian delegates interacted with parliamentarians of these countries on issues relating to Parliamentary democracy.

He participated in the discussion on the role of legislature in constitutional reforms.

Absolute cordiality

He was pleased to note the absolute cordiality between the ruling party and the Opposition in many Commonwealth countries.

He was able to meet Tamils including Tamils of Sri Lanka living in some of the Commonwealth countries.

On the recent demonstrations against All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MLA S.V. Shanmugam following his remarks favouring merger of the Dravidian parties, the Speaker said he had not received any complaint from the member.

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