DMK working president and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) MK Stalin on Friday opposed the salary hike for MLAs in the Assembly as it came at a time when the state transport employees were struggling hard to receive their dues. However, the Bill was passed by a voice vote.

During the discussion of the Tamil Nadu Payment of Salaries (Amendment) Bill, 2018, Stalin said, ‘’All the DMK MLAs have signed a letter stating they did not want any hike in their salary and that it will be given to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.’’

However, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam intervened and said, “In my perception, Stalin wants political mileage by making such a statement. If the MLAs do not want the salary hike, they can provide the same to Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund.”

Meanwhile, Stalin staged a walkout from the Assembly as speaker P Dhanapal denied permission to revive the Gutkha scam debate. The LoP, during the zero-hour, sought time to raise the issue. However, the Speaker did not allow him to take it up and that led the DMK MLAs to stage a walkout.