Tense moments in Pondy House

PUDUCHERRY: Puducherry Legislative Assembly on Wednesday witnessed some tense moments, unlike anything seen in recent times, as ministers and AIADMK legislators engaged in a heated argument.     

The incident happened during the question hour when replying to AIADMK MLA A Bhaskar, Minister for Education R Kamalakannan ruled out the possibility of upgradation of ASN Government Middle School to a high school in his Mudaliarpet constituency. The school did not have the necessary strength and there were three schools within two to three kilometres of the school to study further, he said.    
Bhaskar continued to raise the issue and charged the government with neglecting his Mudaliarpet constituency and accused the minister of bias.

Sharply reacting, Welfare Minister M Kandasamy said that it was due to an earlier incident relating to Bhaskar, that issues between the government and the Lt Governor Kiran Bedi escalated.Kamalakannan denied the allegations and offered to resign if the member could prove the charges of bias in even one instance. He then cautioned

AIADMK legislative party leader A Anbazhagan for questioning him in support of Bhaskar. He challenged him to come out of the Assembly and face him there. Kamalakannan also made other remarks which were expunged by speaker later.

Accepting the challenge, Anbazhagan and Bhaskar moved to the well of the house, challenging Kamalakannan to come near them, to settle issues. This sparked tense moments in the House. The watch and ward prevented Anbazhagan and Bhaskar from proceeding further while the Speaker brought order in the house by expunging the controversial remarks after the AIADMK members withdrew the remarks, and passed on to other questions.

Remarks expunged
Anbazhagan and Bhaskar moved to the well of the House, challenging Kamalakannan to come near them, to settle issues. This sparked tense moments in the House. The watch and ward staff prevented Anbazhagan and Bhaskar from proceeding further while the Speaker brought order in the House by expunging the controversial remarks.