Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, Sep 8: Ruckus broke out in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday after opposition DMK MLAs protested against Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's remarks based on Enforcement Directorate (ED) documents and demanded that the statements be expunged from the House records.
The Speaker, JCD Prabhakar, rejected the demand, following which marshals evicted the protesting DMK members from the Assembly hall.
As soon as proceedings began, DMK Whip EV Velu referred to Vijay's remarks made on Monday and sought the removal of references to alleged corruption mentioned in ED documents, contending that they violated Assembly rules and traditions.
Velu also objected to the Chief Minister's references to the Sarkaria Commission, arguing that the commission had not found any offence in the matter. He said cases under investigation should not be discussed while replying to debates in the House.
"Reading out cases is an act that violates tradition. Yesterday the Chief Minister had spoken about MISA and the Sarkaria Commission. Reading out Vigilance cases during the Chief Minister's reply is a violation of tradition. Comments cannot be made on cases that are under investigation," Velu said.
Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar defended the Chief Minister's remarks, citing the Sarkaria Commission report and official ED documents. He reiterated allegations of corruption against the then DMK government, prompting strong objections from DMK members and a brief exchange in the House.
Speaker Prabhakar rejected the DMK's demand, saying there was no need to expunge Vijay's remarks from the Assembly records.
"The DMK wasn't ready to listen for even a minute to CM Vijay's speech yesterday. CM Vijay mentioned things that were already mentioned in the House regarding the MISA Act. So there is no need to expunge the CM's speech on the MISA Act," the Speaker said.
Following the ruling, DMK MLAs continued raising slogans and several members gathered in front of the Speaker's podium as they pressed their demand and continued their protest.
Leader of the House KA Sengottaiyan sought action against the protesting MLAs in accordance with Assembly rules.
The Speaker subsequently directed marshals to remove the DMK members from the Assembly hall. The MLAs continued raising slogans as they were escorted out.
During Monday's proceedings, Chief Minister Vijay had alleged that the ED had accused the DMK of corruption involving party funds. He claimed that ED documents mentioned former Chief Minister MK Stalin, Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin and Minister Senthil Balaji in connection with alleged collection of money in the name of party funds.
Vijay also alleged that the Sarkaria Commission report had accused former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi of abusing his official position while serving as chief minister.