Opposition AIADMK, MDMK boycott Stalin's reply in House

Chennai, Apr 12 (UNI) The main opposition AIADMK and its ally MDMK today boycotted Local Administration Minister M K Stalin's reply to the debate on the demand for grant for his department in protest against alleged irregularities in the city Corporation polls held in October last.

Dressed in black for the second consecutive day to register their protest, the members trooped out of the House as soon as Mr Stalin rose to give his reply at the end of a two-day debate.

Deputy leader of the Opposition O Panneerselvam said his party was boycotting the minister's reply in protest against the irregularities during the Corporation polls.

Speaker R Avudaiyappan expunged a remark made by him against the DMK Government.

The MDMK members also staged a walkout in solidarity with their alliance partner.

However, the members of both parties took part in the debate earlier and expressed their views concerning the Department of Local Administration.

Replying to the debate, Mr Stalin regretted that the AIADMK and MDMK did not remain in the House to listen to his speech.

He said the previous AIADMK Government brought in a ''black Act'' to remove him as Chennai Mayor, which he was holding along with the MLA post.

'' As they were in the power then, they brought in the black Act.

As they are out of power now, they have come in black dress,'' he remarked.

Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader D Sudarsanam, CPI floor leader V Sivapunniyam, Mr T Velmurugan (PMK) and Mr Selvam (Dalit Panthers of India) condemned the AIADMK and the MDMK for boycotting the minister's reply.

UNI