The AIADMK, the two Communist parties and the MDMK on Saturday staged a walkout from the Tamil Nadu Assembly protesting denial of permission by the Speaker to raise some issues in the House.
Members of these parties came to the House wearing black shirts and badges highlighting the failure of the State government to address various issues, including the hike in prices of essential commodities, power cut, deterioration of law and order situation and 2G spectrum scam.
Immediately after the session began, AIADMK deputy leader in the Assembly O. Panneerselvam tried to raise some issues. Law Minister Durai Murugan intervened and said that the issue could not be raised during question hour.
Though Speaker R. Avudaiyappan allowed Mr. Panneerselvam to speak, his remarks evoked protest from the Treasury Benches. He expunged the remarks of Mr. Panneerselvam. This was followed by the walkout. Later speaking reporters, Mr. Panneerselvam said the 2G spectrum had brought shame to Tamil Nadu.
He accused the government of failing to solve the problems faced by people. “It is not able to question the Centre on the increase in prices of petroleum products. The government also cannot stop the attack on Tamil fishermen and find a solution to the problems of the Tirupur dyeing units.”
CPI (M) floor leader K. Balabharathi said though the government had promised to constitute a committee for exploring the possibility of controlling price rise, there had been no headway in the direction. She said law and order situation had become a major cause of concern.
Economic policies of the government had severely affected small and medium industries.
She also pointed out that the decision of the Speaker to have question hour on the day of budget presentation had no precedence.
CPI leader V. Sivapunniyam said the government might have prevented the Opposition from raising people's issues in the Assembly, but they would remain etched in their minds.
