AIADMK, MDMK stage walkout on free Colour TV issue

Chennai, Apr 18 (UNI) An AIADMK member's charge against the Tamil Nadu Government on distribution of free colour TV sets triggered acrimonious scenes in the Assembly, culminating in a walkout by the party and its ally MDMK, in protest against ''denial'' of adequate time to speak on the subject.

Participating in a debate on the demand for grant for the Adi-Dravidar and Tribal Welfare department, Mr S Karuppusamy (AIADMK) said the Government had not given preference to Adi-dravidars in the free colour TV scheme.

Acrimonious scenes were witnessed when Congress whip S Peter Alphonse sought to express his views on the issue.

Objecting to his intevention, AIADMK members insisted that only ministers should respond to the charge.

When Mr Alphonse stood his ground, saying that the Speaker had allowed him to speak, the AIADMK members protested loudly.

Members of the ruling DMK and the Congress also rose and shouted at the AIADMK members, resulting in a din.

With the members angrily gesticulating against one another, the situation threatened to go out of control when the Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy restored order by appealing to the treasury benches to maintain peace.

Refuting the AIADMK member's charge, Mr Alphonse said in his Kadaiyanallur constituency, a majority of beneficiaries were Adi-Dravidars.

Food Minister E V Velu said the Government had constituted committees, comprising Panchayat Presidents, to identify the beneficiaries for the scheme and there was no question of politicising the issue.

Mr Veerasamy said the scheme was launched on September 15, the birth anniversary of DMK founder C N Annadurai, in all Samathuvapurams (habitats for people of all castes) which were dominated by Adi-Dravidars.

At this point, Speaker R Avudaiyappan called a DMK member to speak in the debate.

Protesting against this, the AIADMK and MDMK members walked out of the House.

UNI