AINRC member continues to toe a different line

Selvame did not join the party MLAs during the walkout

Defiant: AINRC MLA N.S.J. Jayabal dragging his party colleague T.P.R. Selvame during the walkout in the Assembly in Puducherry on Thursday.

AINRC MLA T.P.R. Selvame continued to toe a different line from his party members in the Legislative Assembly.

A day after he spoke against Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi in the Assembly while his party colleagues were heaping praise on her, Mr. Selvame on Thursday refused to toe the line of his party when the former Chief Minister N. Rangasamy led a walkout against the government.

Mr. Selvame was seen sitting while other members followed the former Chief Minister. Much to the embarrassment, he had to be physically pulled out of the House by his colleague N.S.J. Jayabal.

Seconds later, Mr. Selvame returned to his seat while other members abstained from attending the remaining part of the session.

Party embarrassed

Even when his party boss was on his feet vehemently criticising the government while the Chief Minister was presenting the budget, Mr. Selvame was confined to his chair to the surprise of other colleagues. Two other members of AINRC B. Kobiga and P.R.N. Thirumurgan were conspicuous by their absence when the budget was presented giving room for rumour mongers to suggest that all was not well within the main Opposition party. The party has eight MLAs in the 30-member House.