In recent times, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly has witnessed heated arguments between the treasury benches and the Opposition over a host of issues ranging from the serious to relatively petty ones. As a result, the proceedings have been disrupted and certain pressing people’s issues have been given the go-by.
In the last two decades, the proceedings of the House have mostly centred on individual leaders and the rise of this personality-centric culture has replaced principled debates. Members of different parties are keen on being in the good books of their respective leaders. Hence, they frequently ridicule the rivals or take pot shots at them. Even Question Hours have become an occasion to eulogise party leaders. The studied supplementary questions in the distant past that provided an opportunity to prove the Ministers’ efficiency have become rare.
Dravidian historian K Thirunavukkarasu feels that debates, such as the recent clash between the ruling and Opposition benches on whether it was proper to call the Chief Minister or DMK president by name is unwarranted.
“When late communist leader P. Jeevanandam moved a no-confidence motion against the Congress government, led by Rajagopalachari, he mentioned the Chief Minister’s name 52 times. Jawaharlal Nehru was a great leader who had spent many years in jail. But it never prevented the opposition leaders from calling him Mr. Nehru,” he pointed out.
Former Minister and DMK MLA E. V. Velu, however, disagrees. He pointed out that AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran, despite his political differences always, addressed DMK leader Karunanidhi as Kalaignar .
On many occasions, MGR had requested Mr. Karunanidhi to initiate debates on major issues concerning the State. There were occasions when the DMK and AIADMK members clashed in the House and cooled the tempers over a cup of tea in the Assembly canteen, since they all once worked together in the DMK before they parted ways.
Anna’s retort
Recently, PMK leader S. Ramadoss recalled an incident to illustrate how late Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai conducted himself in the face of stringent criticism. Responding to Congress leader K. Vinyagam’s jibe that “your days are numbered” (a reference to Anna’s failing health); Anna retorted “my steps are measured.”
Former Congress MLA Peter Alphonse said he had witnessed great debates in the Assembly by communist leaders R. Umanath and Pappa Umanath, INL leader Abdul Latheef and AIADMK’s Panruti S. Ramachandran.
“Senior DMK leaders would make excellent presentation after moving resolutions. I have spoken in the House for 45 minutes without interruption. Now, not a single minute passes without interruption,” complained Mr Peter Alphonse.
“What we require today is tolerance on both sides. The debates should be free from personal attacks and provocative remarks,” said AIADMK spokesperson Panruti S. Ramachandran.
When Rajaji once wondered why Jeeva, who would normally harp on international political situation, confined himself to problems of Washermenpet, the communist leader said “at least I have a constituency,” insinuating that Rajaji did not contest in the election and became the Chief Minister through his election to the Legislative Council. The House plunged into laughter.
