Speaker refuses to expunge remarks, AIADMK stages walk out

Chennai, Aug 19 (UNI) The main Opposition AIADMK today staged a walk out in the Tamil Nadu Assembly in protest against the Speaker's refusal to expunge certain remarks pertaining to corruption cases against AIADMK Supremo and Leader of the Opposition J Jayalalithaa.

The House witnessed noisy scenes as the determined Opposition stood on their feet urging Speaker R Avudaiyappan to expunge the remarks made by Agriculture Minister Veerapandi S Arumugham.

As the Speaker refused to budge, AIADMK Whip K A Sengottaiyan led his party members out of the House.

It all started when P Balaramanan of the (AIADMK), while winding up his speech on the debate for demand for grant for Fisheries and Dairy Development, asked whether Fisheries Minister K P P Samy, who was facing an inquiry commission, could be allowed to reply to the debate.

When Information and Publicity Minister Parithi Ilamvazhuthi urged the Speaker to expunge the remarks, Mr Arumugham said Mr Samy was not facing any inquiry commission. He pointed out the TANSI land deal case and the wealth case pending against Ms Jayalalithaa in the Special Court at Bangalore and asked whether such people could contest the elections.

This triggered protests form the AIADMK. Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy said Mr Samy could reply to the debate as there was no case against him.

When Mr Arumugham reiterated his remarks, Deputy Leader of the Opposition O Panneerselvam said while the remarks made by Mr Balaramanan were expunged, the remarks in respect of Ms Jayalalithaa should also be expunged.

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