First session of new TN Assembly begins tomorrow

Chennai, May 23 (UNI) The first session of the newly-constituted 13th Legislative Assembly in Tamil Nadu begins here tomorrow with the customary Governor's address to the House.

The address will outline the DMK Government's policies on various issues and is expected to contain new announcements, including revival of the now-defunct Legislative Council and election to local bodies.

The House will also pass a condolence motion on the sudden demise of former assembly speaker and DMK leader P T R Palanivel Rajan who died on Saturday last, a week after assuming charge as the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister.

The session is likely to witness lively debates and fiery exchanges between the DMK, which took over the reins after the recent Assembly elections, and the 61-strong AIADMK legislators.

The presence of a strong Opposition, for the first time in the history of State Legislature, will provide for a healthy and democratic functioning of the House, political observers said.

There are also wide expectations that the ruling DMK would make announcements on some more poll promises it made, particularly distribution of free colour TVs and allocation of two acres of land to landless farmers, in the Governor's address.

Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had already announced implementation of three of his party's promises -- distribution of PDS rice at Rs two per kg, waiver of farmers' cooperative loans and provision of two eggs per week under the noon meal scheme -- on the day he was sworn in.

With 96 MLAs, 22 short of a majority on its own, the DMK has formed the government with outside support of its DPA allies -- Congress (34), Pattali Makkal Katchi (18), CPI-M (9) and CPI (6).

While the AIADMK has 61 legislators, its ally Marumalarchi DMK has found representation in the House for the first time with six MLAs. The Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) has two MLAs.

The Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) has one member and there is also an independent.

All the newly-elected MLAs were sworn in by Pro-tem Speaker D Sudharsanam on May 17.

Mr R Avudaiyappan and Mr V P Duraisamy of the DMK have been elected as the Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.

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