DMK members wear badges, raise slogans against Speaker

Chennai, Aug 5: DMK legislators came to the state assembly wearing badges protesting against the "scarecrow" remark made by an AIADMK MLA against them, stalling proceedings briefly today also over the remark of a ruling party MLA who referred to the incident.

When ruling MLA Chandrasekar referred to the stalling of proceedings yesterday in the House by Opposition members, it was objected by DMK legislators.

They demanded that his remark be expunged. Leader of Opposition, M K Stalin, quoting rules, said no member could make any allegations during Question Hour. Speaker P Dhanapal said the member had only mentioned about the incident and did not make any allegations and appealed to DMK members to extend cooperation to run the House.

DMK members, however, raised slogans against him and urged that the AIADMK MLA's remark be expunged. Stalin said his party intended to participate in the proceedings and carry out their duty following in the footsteps of Dravidian leader and former chief minister Annadurai.

He said the AIADMK member may not have made an allegation, but it smacked of ridicule and reiterated that it should be expunged. Congress legislature party leader Ramasamy too wanted the remark to be expunged.

Dhanapal, however, ruled that no allegation was made. He said if it was done, he would expunge it. Excise and Prohibition Minister P Thangamani said during the previous DMK regime an allegation was made by a member against another.

Yesterday, AIADMK MLA Muthaiah had said "there are 89 scarecrows", immediately drawing an angry response from DMK members, who have an exact number of members in the assembly. The badges worn by DMK members referred to the incident and said they condemned the remark.

PTI