AIADMK walks out over corpn polls

Chennai, Jan 22 (UNI) The main opposition AIADMK and the MDMK today staged a noisy walkout in the Tamil Nadu Assembly in protest against Speaker R Avudaiyappan's decision not to allow a discussion on Madras High Court's split verdict on the Chennai corporation elections.

During zero hour, Deputy Leader of the Opposition O Panneerselvam attempted to raise the issue, saying it was a matter of great importance.

However, PWD Minister Duraimurugan said the matter could not be discussed in the House as it was sub judice.

Immediately, all AIADMK members were on their feet demanding that the matter be taken up for discussion.

Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy said since the two-member bench had given two different verdicts, it could not be considered absolute. Only the verdict of a third judge could be taken as final, he added.

However, the Government had decided to seek fresh elections for 99 wards even without waiting for the verdict of the third judge.

This was unprecedented in the entire country, he said.

Leader of the House and Finance Minister K Anbazhagan said the split verdict of the High Court would not be binding on anyone. The Government's decision to seek fresh election was taken on its own, he said.

Following this, the Speaker turned down the AIADMK's plea to raise the issue, saying it was against the decorum of the House to discuss a matter that was subjudice.

Protesting against the Speaker's decision, the AIADMK members shouted slogans against the Government and staged a walkout.

The AIADMK's ally MDMK also followed suit.

It may be recalled that a Division Bench of the High Court delivered a split verdict on the Corproation elections on January 12.

While Justice S J Mukhopadhaya held that it was not feasible to determine if the elections were free and fair or invalid, second judge Justice F M Ibrahim Kalifulla ordered repoll in 99 wards citing irregularities.

UNI