DMK members, led by Opposition leader M.K. Stalin, staged a walkout from the Assembly on Tuesday, after the Speaker refused to allow a debate on the State government’s proposal to convert the residence of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa into a memorial.
During his speech, DMK legislator J. Anbazhagan referred to the government’s proposal, which was mentioned in the Governor’s address, and made some comments, which were strongly objected to by the AIADMK members. The Chair later expunged the remarks.
Despite the DMK members’ demand for a debate on the issue, the Speaker maintained: “I cannot allow any comment against the former Chief Minister, who is no more.
Mr. Stalin accused Assembly Speaker P. Dhanapal of not allowing the Opposition members to express their views.
Speaking to reporters after staging the walkout, he said Mr. Anbazhagan had only questioned the decision to convert the Poes Garden residence of late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa into a memorial since she was convicted in the disproportionate assets case. He also took exception to the Speaker’s decision not to allow comments against the Governor, saying Jayalalithaa had made “very nasty comments” against the late Governor Chenna Reddy.
