The winter session of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, which will begin on December 4, is likely to be a stormy one.
The session, which is expected to last a week, assumes significance since the ruling AIADMK will face the Opposition without the presence of its general secretary and former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who was disqualified as an MLA after her conviction in a corruption case.
For the first time, Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam will lead the AIADMK members. During his previous term (September 2001-March 2002) as Chief Minister, no Assembly session took place.
Originally, the Opposition had demanded that the Assembly be convened when five fishermen of the State, arrested by the Sri Lankan authorities three years ago, was awarded the death sentence. But the fishermen have since been released.
In the past few days, the Opposition parties have been mounting pressure on the government to convene the Assembly to discuss issues affecting the people. On Monday, Governor K. Rosaiah announced that the House would meet on December 4.
Issues such as the continued arrest of fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, Karnataka’s plan to build dams across the Cauvery, the milk price increase and the plan to increase the power tariff are likely to dominate the session.
In a separate communication to Members of the Assembly, Assembly Secretary A.M.P. Jamaludeen informed them that the day’s proceedings would begin at 10 a.m.
About 10 days ago, an ordinance was promulgated to create an ombudsman for the local bodies. This has to be approved by the Assembly.
It is also likely that the House would have to ratify the National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill as Union Law Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda called upon the Chief Ministers of all the States to get the Bill ratified at the earliest.