Chennai, Sept 8:
DMK whip and former Minister E.V. Velu on Tuesday hit back at Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, accusing him of avoiding the questions raised by the Opposition during the Assembly debate on the police department’s demands and criticising his remarks on former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
Speaking to reporters after DMK members were evicted from the Assembly amid protests over Vijay’s remarks on the Sarkaria Commission, Velu said the Opposition had expected the Chief Minister to respond to the questions raised by Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin.
“We expected the Chief Minister to answer the questions raised by the Leader of the Opposition,” Velu said, adding that Vijay had not responded to the questions raised by the Opposition during the debate on the police department’s demands.
Velu also criticised Vijay’s remarks while referring to the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), under which former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was detained during the Emergency.
He alleged that Vijay’s body language while speaking about MISA was objectionable and said it had belittled Stalin’s sacrifice during the period of his detention.
Questioning Vijay’s reference to late Union Minister Murasoli Maran, Velu asked why the Chief Minister had sought to criticise Maran and referred to Vijay’s association with Maran’s family through films.
Taking a dig at Vijay, Velu said: “If you ask for directions to Pattukottai, he gives directions to betel nut.” He used the expression to accuse the Chief Minister of diverting attention from the questions raised by the Opposition.
Velu also questioned the Speaker’s decision to allow TVK MLA Satyabama to occupy the Speaker’s chair, alleging that it was done merely to project that the ruling party had a woman presiding over the House.