CHENNAI:
The 59 DMK MLAs in the Tamil Nadu Assembly have decided not to avail themselves of the government cars proposed to be provided to all legislators.
The decision follows Chief Minister Vijay’s announcement in the Assembly that government cars would be provided to all MLAs. The announcement came after VCK MLA Jothimani raised the issue of several legislators not having facilities such as cars and personal assistants.
However, Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin said the DMK MLAs would not require government cars, particularly when the Chief Minister himself had stated that the State was facing financial constraints. The decision was subsequently formalised through a letter submitted to Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar.
DMK MLA Kovi S. Chezhian handed over the letter to the Speaker on behalf of the party legislators. The letter was also signed by Jawahirullah, Thamimun Ansari and Nithyanandhan, who were elected on the DMK symbol as alliance candidates.
The move comes amid a wider debate in the Assembly over providing facilities to legislators and the financial implications of such expenditure. The DMK has maintained that its MLAs do not want the proposed government vehicles.