Waving photocopies of The Hindu report, “ I-T probe unearths huge bribe paid for gutkha sale in Tamil Nadu ", and a similar report published in Murasoli , the DMK legislators on Wednesaday demanded a debate in the Assembly.
They staged a walkout after Speaker P. Dhanpal denied permission, saying that he could not allow a debate based on what appeared in newspapers and television channels. The Congress MLAs and a lone member of the Indian Union Muslim League also walked out.
Later, talking to reporters outside the Assembly, Leader of the Opposition M.K. Stalin demanded the removal of Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar, alleging that he had a role in the sale of gutkha and pan products. “But Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami will not take action against him because he himself is facing charges in connection with bribing voters in the R.K. Nagar bypoll,” Mr. Stalin said.
The illegal sale of gutkha and pan products was raised immediately after the question hour by Mr Stalin, but the Speaker said members could not compel him to hold a discussion on any issue. “I will allow a discussion if only I am convinced about the merit of the issue,” Mr. Dhanapal said.
Though Mr Stalin said diaries seized during income tax raids in godowns were a clear proof, Mr. Dhanapal said he could not consider newspaper reports as evidence. For almost 15 minutes the DMK members insisted on their demand for a discussion. But the Speaker was unrelenting. This led to Mr Stalin leading his party MLAs out.
Congress Legislative Party leader K.R. Ramsamy said though members like him wanted the government to function effectively to fulfil the expectations of people, the reports he was receiving about the government was not encouraging. “You should remain united,” he said before staging a walkout.
