Violence by DMK MLAs marred the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, which met on Saturday morning to take up a motion of vote of confidence moved by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami forcing Speaker P. Dhanapal to adjourn the house till 1 p.m.
The DMK MLAs, who were demanding a secret ballot, broke the Speaker’s table and microphone besides hurling paper bundles and files at him even as the MLAs supporting Mr. Palaniswami exercised some restraint.
Soon after the House met, DMK leader M.K. Stalin and Congress floor leader Ramasamy demanded a secret ballot or an adjournment saying most MLAs were not in a free position to cast their votes. When the Speaker insisted that he will go by his powers and decide on whether or not to allow secret voting, the DMK members rushed to the well of the House raising slogans – “Adjourn the voting, adjourn the voting.”
Some MLAs turned violent and broke the Speaker’s table, microphone and the Assembly Secretary’s table besides thrown the Assembly Rule book and other files at the Chair. Immediately, the Speaker’s security staff surrounded him and sought to escort him to his room. At this point, some DMK MLAs were seen pulling him.
Grab from footage provided by the Tamil Nadu Assembly shows ruckus in the House on Saturday.
A former minister and MLA of the DMK was seen standing on the bench and raising some slogans.
Earlier, Congress leader Ramasamy said an unusual situation prevailed in Tamil Nadu and only a secret ballot would help MLAs exercise their choice freely.
Former School Education Minister Ma Foi K. Pandiarajan, who is with the O. Panneerselvam camp, complained that he was threatened with an acid attack soon after he had met the Speaker and sought to move a motion of breach of privilege.
Mr. Panneerselvam said most Ministers and MLAs had met him personally and sought protection for their lives.
Police entered the corridors of Assembly and issued direction to the watch and ward staff to remove the DMK members after Speaker P. Dhanapal adjourned the House for the second time.
Problem started after a few DMK members were prevented from entering Assembly.
DMK deputy leader Duraimurugan told the senior police officials that police could not interfere with the privileges of the Members. "The House belonged to us," he argued.
Suddenly the watch and ward staff sought to evict them and the DMK members resisted their attempt. They even sought to retaliate by throwing chairs.
Police, however, succeeded in removing them after a few police officials entered the House in white uniform. Mr Stalin was seen slapping on his own head in despair as he was lifted by the watch and ward staff.
Grab from edited footage provided by the Tamil Nadu Assembly, shows DMK MLA Ku.Ka. Selvam is seen sitting on Speaker’s chair.
