PMK members walk out protesting over expunged remarks

Chennai, Jan 30 (UNI) The PMK, a constituent of the DMK-led DPA, today staged a walk out from the Tamil Nadu Assembly in protest against the Speaker expunging some charges levelled by the party against State Agriculture Minister Veerapandi S Arumugam.

Speaking on the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor for his address, Mr Tamilarasu (PMK) levelled a charge against the Minister, who was not present in the House.

Taking objection to it, PWD Minister Duraimurugan said as per Assembly rules prior permission of the Speaker should be obtained before levelling personal charges against the Minister in the House and sought to expunge them.

After reading out Rule 93 of Assembly Rules, Speaker R Avudaiappan expunged the remarks, triggering protests from the PMK members.

PMK President and floor leader G K Mani said expunging the remarks were akin to suppression of the rights of the member.

''If we are not able to register our anguish inside the Assembly and also outside, where do we register it'', he asked.

Mr T Velmurugan (PMK) repeated Mr Tamilarasu's charge and said the member was only expressing his anguish over the remarks made against him by the Minister and said it should not be expunged.

Intervening, Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy said one did not know what happened at the function and it was not known whether the minister had actually made such remarks.

Since the Minister was not present to explain his position, it was improper to make personal charges.

When Mr Velmurugan reiterated his demand, Mr Duraimurugan said the manner in which the member had made the charge was against the convention of the House and said Mr Velmurugan's remark should also be expunged.

After the Speaker expunged it, PMK members were on the feet.

But Mr Avudaiappan said there was no change in his decision.

The PMK members made a vain bid to convince the Speaker before they walked out of the Assembly.

UNI GV VV JT RS1807