Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami and all other AIADMK members were evicted enmasse from the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Friday after they staged a sit-in protest over the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy in which the death toll has increased to 47.
Chief Minister MK Stalin slammed the AIADMK for drama and its attempt to cause confusion and appealed to the opposition to not seek political mileage from the grievous incident.
As soon as the House convened for the day, when the Question Hour was being taken up, the AIADMK legislators, led by LoP Palaniswami were on their feet, raising slogans and seeking the chair’s nod to raise the Kallakurichi incident.
Amid the din, while Speaker M Appavu, citing House rules, repeatedly appealed to them to resume their seats, the opposition members were unrelenting and had gathered in front of him.
Palaniswami and a number of other MLAs sat on the floor right before the Speaker. Eventually, following Speaker Appavu's direction, marshalls evicted them and some MLAs, including RB Udhayakumar were carried outside by them.
While the Speaker ruled that the main opposition party legislators cannot attend proceedings for the day, he withdrew his ruling later following an appeal by Stalin.
The AIADMK MLAs, however, did not return to the House immediately to take part in the proceedings.
Stalin said that in December 2001 (when AIADMK was in power) a similar incident had happened in Cuddalore district, claiming 52 lives and affecting over 200 people.
“Now, I have ordered tough action. At that time (2001), action was not taken properly,” he said. Fearing a reference by members to that incident, “they (AIADMK) have staged a drama,” the CM added.
The evicted AIADMK members did not include supporters of former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) who did not join their estranged colleagues. On the ruckus by the opposition MLAs, Leader of the House, Duraimurugan said it was an undesirable event led by the LoP and AIADMK MLAs and it was regrettable.
Duraimurugan, a senior Minister, said opposition MLAs have a right to raise issues and debate. However, it should conform to House rules and Question Hour is very important and during that time, allegations should not be levelled.
Later, addressing the media, Palaniswami said he wanted to flag the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, which he said has left “50 persons dead”. He described the eviction as “murder of democracy”.
Replying to call attention motion moved by several MLAs over the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, Stalin expressed anguish over the death of 47 persons in Kallakurichi district following consumption of ‘methanol mixed poisonous arrack’, on June 19, 2024. The LoP could have stayed back in the House to express his views.
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