Sparks flew between the Congress and the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) MLAs during the debate on motion of thanks to the Lt. Governor for her address to the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
Ashok Anand (AINRC) and Government whip R.K.R. Anantharaman got into a heated exchange after the former made a critical comment on Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy during the course of debate on the motion of thanks.
Mr. Anand said the Chief Minister, instead of fulfilling his responsibilities, was always finding fault with the Lt. Governor and the Centre. The Chief Minister had been criticising the Centre for not sanctioning funds. But at the same time the Chief Minister had spoken about sanctioning of funds under the Smart City project, Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme and for tourism projects by the Centre, Mr. Anand said.
Clarification sought
The AINRC MLA sought to know from the Chief Minister which of his statements were true. He went on to make a remark on the powers of the Chief Minister which invited the ire of the Government Whip.
Interrupting his speech, Mr. Anantharaman said the AINRC member need not give a lecture on the powers of the Chief Minister and Ministers.
“If you want to be with the Lt. Governor, you be with her. You should speak on the motion of thanks rather than giving lessons to the Ministry,” he said. Both entered into a heated exchange and in the din nothing could heard. Speaker V. Vaithilingam brought the House into order by asking the AINRC member to wind up his speech.
Noisy scenes
After a few minutes, the House again witnessed noisy scenes as both the members crossed swords during the debate.
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagm leader A. Anbalagan, while participating in the debate, made a reference to Shasun Chemicals at Kalapet.
Mr. Anand was on his feet again stating that the industry had flouted the rules and the government remained silent.
Mr. Anantharaman countered him by stating that the industry had not cropped up in the last two years.
The industry had been functioning during the tenure of AINRC, he said and added that if the company had violated the rules why did the previous government (AINRC) not take action against it.
As both the members locked horns, the Chief Minister intervened to state that Mr. Anand gave a false complaint about the company.
This led to noisy scenes in the House with Ministers and Congress MLAs lashing out at the the AINRC member.
Mr. Vathilingam, who was not in the Chair, rushed back to the House and directed the members to calm down and allowed only Mr. Anbazhagan to speak.