Stage set for high-voltage budget session of TN Assembly

Chennai, July 21 (UNI) The budget session of Tamil Nadu Assembly, beginning tomorrow, is expected to be stormy in the wake of controversy over the change in the seating arrangements between the ruling DMK and the Opposition AIADMK.

After ascending power for the fifth time, the DMK government would present the budget for the year 2006-07 on the opening day tomorrow.

For the first time, it would be presented by Mr K Anbazhagan, who was given the Finance portfolio this time. During the four previous DMK regimes, it was presented by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, who had held the finance portfolio.

The high-voltage session comes in the backdrop of the war of words between the leader of the Opposition and AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa and Assembly Speaker R Avudiyappan, on changes made in seating arrangements ''according to Vaasthu.'' Mr Karunanidhi criticised her for questioning the Speaker's move in effecting changes in the seating arrangements in the House.

With new seating arrangements in place, the session was expected to be stormy and the issue was expected to be raised by the Opposition.

All eyes would be on Mr Anbazhagan when he rises to present his maiden budget, which was expected to contain adequate budgetary allocation for the various social welfare schemes promised by the DMK in its poll manifesto.

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