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MLAs, TV channels will face privilege motion

By Our Special Correspondent

Chennai March 11. The Speaker, K. Kalimuthu, today warned that privilege proceedings would be launched against Opposition MLAs and television channels if they publicised ``unparliamentary'' remarks expunged in the Assembly.

Taking a dim view of what has now become a regular ``post-walkout'' media briefing by Opposition MLAs, particularly for television channels, Mr. Kalimuthu said, ``expunging unparliamentary remarks will not serve the purpose, if members restate the remarks in television interviews.''

If they continued with such ``unhealthy practice'', he would consider moving a breach of privilege motion against both the ``erring'' members and the channels, the Speaker told the media here at the Secretariat here. In recent times, the Opposition parties, particularly the DMK members, K. Ponmudi and Parithi Ilamvazhuthi, had been giving interviews after a walkout or at the end of the day's session, to the waiting mediapersons.

They also mentioned the remarks expunged by the Chair, Mr. Kalimuthu said.

Ilamvazhuthi can't attend budget session

To a question, he also said Mr.Ilamvazhuthi could not attend the coming budget session as the House had adopted a resolution suspending him for two sessions.

``Unless the Assembly adopted another resolution revoking the suspension, he cannot take part in the proceedings. It is up to the Assembly to review his suspension.''

Insisting that the Opposition by and large was ``cooperating'' with him in the smooth conduct of the session, Mr. Kalimuthu squarely blamed the DMK MLAs, Mr. Ilamvazhuthi, Mr. Ponmudi, Baranikumar, M. R. K. Paneerselvam and A. Asokan, for the frequent uproar. ``They do not respect their own floor leaders. Even after the leader of the Opposition, K. Anbazhagan, and the DMK deputy leader, Durai Murugan, announce a walkout, these members defiantly stay on in the House and raise slogans. Only the DMK leadership should impress on its ``defiant'' MLAs to obey their party leaders in the Assembly.

The session, commencing on March 21 with the presentation of the budget by the Finance Minister, C. Ponnaiyan, would continue till mid-May, the Speaker said.

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