AIADMK, DMK come together for Gandhi's death anniversary

In a rare case of bonhomie between Tamil Nadu's two rival parties, opposition DMK MLAs today joined their colleagues from the ruling AIADMK in observing the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at a state-sponsored event here.
The event assumes significance as besides the ruling party MLAs, only government officials had largely participated in such events in the past, indicative of the bitter rivalry between the AIADMK and DMK.
Panneerselvam presided over the function held at the Army Parade grounds at the Fort St George, housing the state Secretariat and the assembly, where he administered a pledge to eradicate untouchability.
He paid floral tributes to a portrait of Gandhi and later administered the oath.

Opposition legislators including Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly M K Stalin of DMK and Congress Legislature Party Leader K R Ramasamy participated in the function, also attended by government officials.
State assembly proceedings were adjourned for half an hour from 10.45 am to 11.15 am to enable the legislators to take part in the event.