The ruling AIADMK and its erstwhile ally and main Opposition party in the Assembly, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), on Wednesday had a heated exchange over the outcome of the Sankarankoil by-election, leading to a walkout by the latter.
The DMDK's contention was that it was against Assembly norms to talk about a person (alluding to its president Vijayakant) when he was not in the House.
Trouble began after DMDK member S.R. Parthipan questioned Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's criticism of the hike in rail fare when her government had increased milk price and bus fare.
Local Administration Minister K.P. Munusamy intervened to say that Mr. Parthipan's leader had also raised the issue during the Sankarankoil by-election campaign, but people gave a massive victory to the AIADMK with the DMDK not even able to retain its deposit. DMDK deputy leader Panruti S. Ramachandran took exception to the Minister's remarks, saying it was not fair to comment about a person who was not in the House.
Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam said there was no specific allegation in the Minister's remarks, who had just explained the fact that the DMDK lost its deposit.
Mr. Ramachandran said that his party secured 11,000 votes in the Sankarakoil Assembly segment in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls and now had polled over 12,000 votes.
Later, former Minister and AIADMK member K.P. Krishnan also made some remarks, which provoked a reaction from the DMDK members. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa explained that Mr. Krishnan had not mentioned anyone by name and wondered why the DMDK members were upset.
