Refused entry into their office in the Tamil Nadu Assembly premises, the 79 suspended DMK MLAs held a mock Assembly session under a tree in Fort St. George with their deputy leader Duraimurugan assuming the role of the ‘Speaker’ on Friday. The DMK MLAs arrived in the morning with chairs, a table and an audio system to participate in the mock session that witnessed some serious discussions and also some ‘tumultuous’ and lighter moments. But before winding up the “session”, Mr. Duraimurugan said the objective was not to ridicule or insult anyone.
Opposition leader M.K. Stalin on Friday said his party was forced to conduct a mock Assembly session because he and other party MLAs were not allowed to enter his office located in the corridors of the Assembly.
“We held the mock Assembly session not to ridicule anyone. We have directed our party MLAs not to indulge in personal attacks,” he told reporters.
Mr. Stalin said Speaker P. Dhanapal refused to revoke his order suspending the DMK MLAs even though eight members of the DMK, who were not placed under suspension, Congress leader K.R. Ramasamy and IUML leader Abubacker had made a request in this regard even on Friday.
He said all problems would be amicably solved and people would have a good idea of what was happening in the Assembly if the proceedings were telecast live.
“The proceedings of the mock Assembly are viewed live by people. The Assembly should also have a similar arrangement,” Mr. Stalin said.
Asked whether the DMK would organise similar protest on August 22 when the demands for grants for Home and Police would be taken up for discussion, Mr. Stalin said the party would hold a public meeting to inform the people that the DMK had been deliberately prevented from attending the session.
“Even when the DMK was in power, the House had witnessed similar incidents. But our leader always respected the requests of political leaders and made recommendations for revocation of suspension or reduced the term of punishment,” he claimed.
Mr. Stalin said the DMK MLAs who are not facing suspension would continue to attend the House.
