Tamil Nadu Assembly session begins on a stormy note: Opposition walks out

Chennai: The short session of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Thursday began on a stormy note, as opposition parties, including DMDK, DMK and the Left staged a walkout after being denied permission to raise various issues.

Soon after question hour, leaders of these parties were on their feet and sought a chance to raise various issues, which was not accepted by the Speaker P Dhanapal. The Speaker said since the Business Advisory Committee had decided to hold the session for three days it was a settled matter and no discussions can be allowed. CPI(M) members held aloft a placard which read 'Increase the days of the session to raise people's issues' leading to intervention from the Leader of the House Natham R Viswanathan, who said since the decision of the Business Advisory Committee was final, it was against the rules to criticize it.

CPI leader M Arumugam raised the issue of Karnataka government's attempt to construct a dam near Mekedatu across Cauvery river, which he said posed a challenge to the livelihood of the people of Tamil Nadu, but Viswanathan intervened and said the issue will be taken up for discussion tomorrow.

After failing to convince the Speaker to allow them to speak, members of DMDK, DMK, Congress, CPI and CPI(M) staged a walkout. During the proceedings, the seat used by AIADMK supreme Jayalalithaa when she was a member remained vacant, while Chief Minister O Panneerselvam sat in his usual place.

This is also the first session for Panneerselvam as Chief Minister after taking over the reins from Jayalalithaa, following her conviction by a special court in Bangalore in a Disproportionate Assets case. Meanwhile, DMK president M Karunanidhi, who has been in a war of words with Panneerselvam over convening of the assembly, came in and signed the register.

The three-day session began today and will last till December 8. Government holidays fall on December 6 and 7.