Assembly: DMK plays hide and seek again, Oppn MLAs walk out over CAA


File photo of MK Stalin

Chennai: For the second consecutive day, DMK legislators staged walk out from the Assembly, after Leader of Opposition M K Stalin was denied permission to speak about Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) during the zero hour today.

Stalin said that he wanted to speak about a resolution that was given to Speaker Dhanapal. However, Dhanapal said since the resolution is still under his consideration, Stalin cannot talk about it. But Stalin stated that so much protest is happening against CAA across the country and asked Dhanapal to at least give them an affirmation that the resolution would be taken up before the end of this session on 9 January. Since Dhanapal said he cannot give such assurances, the DMK staged a walk out. The first session of the Tamilnadu Legislative Assembly for the calendar year 2020 began with the Governor’s customary address yesterday. During his speech, Governor Banwarilal Purohit listed out various achievements of the State government and also made a few requests to the Centre.

Bharat Ratna for Jaya

Speaking during the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, Deputy Speaker Pollachi Jayaraman said former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa should be conferred with Bharat Ratna.

Jayaraman also said the local body elections happened in a fair manner in Tamilnadu. “The present State Election Commission does not announce results without counting the votes polled. I would also like to tell that there was no influence in Tamilnadu getting first place in the Good Governance Index of the Central government. It may be noted that Puducherry which is ruled by the Congress was awarded first place in the Union Territory category,” he said.

CM comes in for praise

AIADMK legislators heaped laurels on Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami for the State securing first place in the Central government’s Good Governance Index. He was praised as ‘Kudimaramathu Nayagan’ and ‘Vivasayigalin Nanban’. Minister for Forests Dindigul C Srinivasan said Rs 57.53 crore has been alloted to relay 576.97 crore forest roads. Minister for Electricity, Prohibition and Excise P Thangamani said underground cables have been laid for 65 km and only 190 kms is still remaining.