The AIADMK leader alleged that the DMK was dismissed ‘on charges of corruption’ in 1976 and again in 1991 for ‘sharing State secrets with the LTTE.’ _____________________________________
by V. Gangadharan in Chennai
(February 02, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) It was like a storm. She came after a long time, kicked up a debate, made Treasury Benches see red and walked out coolly.
Leader of the Opposition and AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa spoke on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address on Friday belying expectations that her deputy O Paneerselvam will speak on behalf of the party.
Just as she walked into the House, a sense of expectation became all-pervasive.
Interestingly, the speech of Jayalalithaa invited sharp retorts from Ministers and the DMK members.
Specially, remarks related to Finance Minister and senior DMK leader Anbazhagan triggered angry reactions.
Putting aside everything else —including the 10-minute adjournment since 1988 and angry scenes that were witnessed — the substance of what Jayalalithaa had said was that there should be action against people who supported the LTTE.
She charged the government with the worsening of the law and order situation and added that the State was ‘becoming an arms dump.’
She said 10 years of imprisonment could be awarded to the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
The AIADMK leader alleged that the DMK was dismissed ‘on charges of corruption’ in 1976 and again in 1991 for ‘sharing State secrets with the LTTE.’
There were loud protests and Anbazhagan refuted the allegations. He said no evidence was given for the graft charge made by MGR.
He also said Jayalalithaa, who was censured by the Supreme Court for purchasing property of the State-owned TANSI had no moral right to criticise the DMK government.
Chief Minister M Karunanidhi who had observed silence till then said the DMK government was dismissed in 1976 only for opposing the Emergency.
When the AIADMK supremo started speaking on the Jain Commission report, Karunanidhi countered her by saying that if old stories were to be debated they will also have to talk of some tales of bygone years.
Interestingly, the Chief Minister even said the AIADMK leader had come preplanned to disrupt the proceedings of the House.
Later, the remarks of Jayalalithaa (during her speech on the Governor’s address) on a Supreme Court order about banned organisations were referred to the privileges committee.
Speaking to mediapersons, Speaker R Avudayappan said PWD and Law Minister Durai Murugan submitted a report to him on the matter.
He said Jayalalithaa had read out only a portion of the Supreme Court since, prima facie there appeared a breach of privilege and the matter has been sent to privileges committee under section 226 of the Assembly rules,’ the Speaker said.
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