The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : AIADMK, MDMK members stage walkout in Assembly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 21, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

AIADMK, MDMK members stage walkout in Assembly

Special Correspondent

DMK allies all praise of some of Government announcements

CHENNAI: Members of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam staged a walkout in the Assembly on Saturday, criticising the "commissions and omissions" of the Government.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam allies, including the Congress, Pattali Makkal Katchi and Communist Party of India (Marxist), praised some of the announcements made in the Governor's address, which broadly outlined the Government's approach to different issues.

As Governor Surjit Singh Barnala began his address at 9.30 a.m., Deputy Leader of the AIADMK legislature party O. Panneerselvam was on his feet and started reading out a prepared statement. Even as Mr. Barnala proceeded with his address, Mr. Panneerselvam completed his remarks and led his slogan-shouting party colleagues out of the House. The MDMK members, led by their legislature party leader M. Kannappan, also walked out.

Later, Mr. Panneerselvam told reporters that the High Court verdict on the Chennai Corporation elections vindicated AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa's charge that "irregularities" had been committed during the local body polls. The party demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister, Local Administration Minister and State Election Commissioner (SEC), owning up moral responsibility for the "murder of democracy."

Demanding the dismissal of the Director General, Commissioner and Additional Commissioner of Police, Mr. Panneerselvam made it clear that the AIADMK would not contest any local body election under the present SEC.

He flayed the Government for "keeping the farmers' security scheme introduced by the AIADMK regime in cold storage." He accused the Government of adopting "indifferent attitude" towards the Mullaperiyar issue. Claiming deterioration of law and order in the State, he said prices of essential commodities and construction materials had increased steeply.

Mr. Kannappan, who echoed similar views, said the 69 per cent reservation system in the State had become a question mark in view of the State Government's failure to take proper steps when the issue came up before the Supreme Court.

Congress Legislature Party leader D. Sudarsanam welcomed the projects announced in the Governor's address.

He commended the conciliatory approach of the Government in finding a solution to inter-State disputes such as Mullaperiyar and Cauvery issues.

Leader of the PMK G.K. Mani stressed the need for allocating more funds for primary education. The Government should find ways to ensure continuance of the 69 per cent reservation in view of the apex court's judgment on the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

CPI (M) legislature party leader C. Govindasamy said the Government should initiate steps to take over vast stretches of wasteland occupied by private companies and redistribute them to landless farm workers.

He also wanted the Government to provide more powers and funds for the local bodies.

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