DMK MLAs tear copies of privilege against Karunanidhi in Assembly

Members also raised slogans against Speaker P Dhanapal before being evicted from the House

Pandemonium prevailed in Tamil Nadu Assembly today following a privilege issue directed against DMK chief M Karunanidhi with his party members tearing its copies and raising slogans against Speaker P Dhanapal before being evicted from the House.

The issue pertains to Housing Minister R Vaidyalingam's complaint that the DMK president had attributed remarks not made by him on the floor of the Assembly with the matter being referred to the privileges committee.

DMK members tore copies of the privilege committee report tabled in this regard and raised slogans against Dhanapal following which they were warned and then subsequently evicted.

Amidst protest by the agitating DMK MLAs, the House adopted a resolution moved by Finance Minister and leader of the House O Panneerselvam that the recommendations of the privileges committee be accepted by the House.

It was subsequently adopted by a voice vote in the House where the AIADMK has huge majority.

The privileges committee, which comprises members from all the parties, had recommended that though an action was warranted, considering Karunanihi's age (92), he should be asked not to indulge in such activities in future and that it be strongly condemned.

The Speaker said that in view of upholding Assembly's sovereignty and to ensure that Karunanidhi did not repeat such activities in future "this House expresses its strong condemnation".

The Speaker said that this would also serve as a lesson for other lawmakers.