Oppn boycotts Guv's address; asks CM to resign

Chennai, Jan 20: The opening session of the Tamil Nadu Assembly this year began on a stormy note with the main Opposition AIADMK and the MDMK boycotting the Governor's address demanding the resignation of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in the wake of Madras High Court's split verdict on the violence-marred local body polls.

Soon after the House began, Deputy Leader of the Opposition O Panneerselvam read out a statement demanding the resignation of Mr Karunanidhi, Local Administration Minister M K Stalin, and the State Election Commissioner D Chandrasekaran owning moral responsibility for the violence and malpractices during the October local bodies polls.

He also alleged that the law and order situation in the State had deteriorated with the rising number of robberies and murders and the prices of essential commodities also shot up.

Even as Mr Panneerselvam kept reading the statement, Governor Surjit Singh Barnala started reading his customary address to the House, which was greeted with a loud thumping of desks from the Treasury Benches and nothing could be heard.

Mr Panneerselvam also demanded the removal of State Director General of Police, the Chennai City Police Commissioner and the Additional Commissioner for the violent incidents during the polls. The AIADMK also condemned the ''callous attitude'' of the DMK Government on the Mullaiperiyar dam issue and alleged that the government was hoodwinking the people by announcing freebies.

Mr Panneerselvam also condemned the government for dropping the Farmer's Security Scheme implemented during the previous AIADMK Government. The scheme had benefitted 1.99 crore farmers, he added.

The AIADMK then boycotted the address by staging a walk out, shouting slogans demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister.

Its ally MDMK too followed suit.

UNI

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