Chennai, Aug 26:
From an LED screen to watch the Chief Minister’s reactions to a request for permission to practise medicine for one day every month, a series of unusual demands by legislators has added a lighter side to the ongoing Tamil Nadu Assembly session.
As MLAs continued to raise constituency issues and demands for development works during the debate on grants, some members came up with requests that stood out from the usual political and administrative discussions.
Madurai North MLA Kallanai Vijay Anban made one such request, asking for an LED screen to be installed inside the Assembly so that legislators could watch Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s reactions during debates.
The MLA said the Chief Minister often laughed heartily when Opposition members made jokes, but members seated at a distance were unable to see his reactions. He therefore requested an LED display to enable legislators to watch them.
DMDK leader Premalatha Vijayakanth revived another demand concerning drinking water arrangements in the House. She had earlier raised concerns over Assembly staff repeatedly having to move around and bend down to serve water in glasses.
Premalatha had suggested that glass water bottles be placed for members instead. The proposal had previously triggered a humorous response from former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who reportedly remarked that members might throw the bottles in anger if they were kept on the tables.
The DMDK leader has now reiterated her demand, though it is yet to be implemented.
Another unusual suggestion reportedly came from Minister A Rajmohan, who asked Assembly camera operators to use a split-screen arrangement when TVK ministers were speaking and DMK MLAs stood up shouting in protest.
The suggestion was aimed at ensuring that both the speaker and protesting Opposition members could be seen in the same television frame.
Tiruvallur MLA Arun Kumar, who is a doctor, made a different kind of request. After speaking about issues in his constituency, he sought permission to work as a doctor or render another public service at the Tiruvallur Government Hospital for one day every month.
The request assumes significance as ministers and MLAs have reportedly been advised against making surprise visits to government institutions merely for social media publicity.
The Assembly has also witnessed discussion over providing official vehicles to legislators.
VCK MLA Jothimani had sought cars for MLAs, arguing that some legislators were financially disadvantaged. Chief Minister Vijay subsequently announced under Rule 110 that cars would be provided to MLAs.
The decision triggered considerable debate and criticism on social media, with information about the personal assets and vehicles owned by some legislators being widely circulated.
Minister Aadhav Arjuna later clarified that TVK MLAs who already own cars would not avail themselves of government vehicles.
While serious debates on governance and public welfare continue to dominate the Assembly proceedings, the unusual demands have provided occasional moments of humour and highlighted the diverse concerns raised by legislators on the floor of the House.