BAC will reconsider suspension only if MLAs apologise

Chennai, May 27 (UNI) The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Tamil Nadu Assembly today decided to reconsider the suspension of 60 AIADMK MLAs, if they expressed regret for their 'unruly' behaviour in the House yesterday.

Before adjourning today's proceedings in the Assembly, Speaker R Avudaippan told the House that the BAC, which met at 0900 hrs in his chambers today, decided to take a second look at the en masse suspension of the MLAs, provided they expressed regret. Till then, the status quo would continue, he said.

After the bedlam in the House yesterday, the Speaker, after a resolution moved by Leader of the House and Finance Minister K Anbazhagan, ordered the suspension of 60 AIADMK MLAs who were present in the House for the rest of the session, till May 31.

However, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi requested the Chair that the decision be reconsidered if the MLAs offered an apology for their 'misconduct' in the house, after which the BAC met this morning.

The BAC was attended, among others, by Mr Karunanidhi, K Anbazhagan, senior ministers Arcot N Veerasamy, Duraimurugan, Leader of the Opposition O Panneerselvam, Deputy Leader of the Opposition K A Sengottaiyan and leaders of various legislature parties.

AIADMK sources said Mr Panneerselvam and Mr Sengottaiyan told the BAC that the party MLAs had not indulged in unruly conduct yesterday and some MLAs had stood on the seats only to protect themselves.

They contended that the Assembly secretariat had the video clippings of what had happened yesterday and if it was proved that some AIADMK members had behaved in an unruly manner, they would be asked to express regret for their act.

The BAC was likely to meet again on May 29 to discuss the issue.

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