DMK MLAs stage walkouts in the Legislative Assembly to register the party’s condemnation as crucial issues like “horse trading” are not taken up for discussion but the MLAs always return to perform their legislative duties, opposition leader M.K. Stalin clarified on Thursday.
In a statement, he said the DMK was functioning as a responsible opposition party in the Assembly by being cooperative with the Speaker to conduct the proceedings without any hassle. Sadly, the ruling AIADMK has never acted in a way to nurture an open and conducive discussion on policy matters.
When the debates on budgetary demands began on June 14, the DMK raised the issue of ‘sting operation’ implicating the vested interests of the AIADMK engaging in “horse trading” wherein crores of rupees were paid to MLAs of the party to win the trust vote. This demand of the DMK was rejected by the Speaker on shaky grounds. There was no case on “horse trading” pending in the High Court but the DMK MLAs were evicted from the Assembly. It was not a walk out, Mr. Stalin clarified.
In the subsequent days also, the issue was raised but the statements were expunged, the DMK leader said, adding that they were therefore forced to walk out but returned to participate in the proceedings.
