AIADMK, MDMK come in black, stage walkout

Chennai, Jan 25 (UNI) Members of the Opposition AIADMK and the MDMK came dressed in black to the Tamil Nadu Assembly today and staged a noisy walkout for the fifth consecutive day demanding the resignation of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on the issue of Chennai Corporation polls.

Six AIADMK members were evicted after they trooped into the well of the House and shouted slogans against the government.

Even before the House, which met at 0930 hrs, could take up the day's business, the AIADMK members were on their feet shouting slogans.

Later, members of both the AIADMK and the MDMK, all dressed in black to register their protest, staged a walkout in the House.

However, six members, including Mr P K Sekarbabu and Mr G Hari, continued to remain in the House and shouted slogans. When they trooped into the well of the House, Speaker R Avudaiyappan ordered the watch and ward staff to evict them.

Both the parties had been boycotting Assembly proceedings demanding the resignation of Mr Karunanidhi, Local Administration Minister M K Stalin and State Election Commissioner T Chandrasekaran after Madras High Court's split verdict on Corporation polls.

They also demanded the removal of Director General of Police and City Police Commissioner for alleged failure to prevent violence during the elections.

A Division Bench of the High Court delivered a split verdict on the Corporation elections on January 12.

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

UNI