Ruling DMK's ally Cong stages walk out in Assembly

Chennai, Aug 22: In a stunning development, ruling DMK ally Congress ''virtually staged a walkout'' in the Tamil Nadu Assembly today, dissatisfied with state Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's reply to the demand for action against MDMK General Secretary Vaiko for his latest 'fiery speech' on the LTTE issue.

Soon after Mr Karunanidhi gave his reply on the issue raised by Mr Peter Alphonse (Congress) during zero hour, all the Congress members left the House taking the treasury benches by surprise.

The Congress members, who were huddled together in their room, had to be pacified by Electricity Minister 'Arcot' N Veerasamy.

Later, Higher Education Minister K Ponmudi and Information Minister Parithi Ilamvazhuthi also joined him to assuage the feelings of Congress MLAs and persuaded them to return to the House.

Immediately after returning to the House, Congress Legislature Party leader D Sudarsanam said the party members were not satisfied with the Chief Minister's reply and demanded action against Mr Vaiko for his speech instigating secession.

As Mr Karunanidhi remained silent, the Congress MLAs demanded a reply from him, stating that the issue was important to them.

In response, the Chief Minister cited from his earlier reply that DMK founder and his mentor C N Annadurai dropped the demand for separate Tamil Nadu keeping in view the nation's sovereignty, integrity and security.

He also warned that law would take its course if anyone acted against the nation's sovereignty and integrity.

UNI