Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P. Dhanapal on Wednesday referred two issues involving seven Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) MLAs to the privileges committee of the House.
One issue was against party whip V.C. Chandrakumar and four party MLAs for meeting the media “with a view to getting cheap publicity and with an ulterior political motive.”
The Speaker said on a prima facie view, the issues appeared to attract breach of privilege.
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Another issue is against two other DMDK MLAs for allegedly threatening their party MLA R. Sundarrajan, who recently met the Chief Minister. The Speaker said the five MLAs, including Mr. Chandrakumar, submitted a memorandum seeking his help to meet the Chief Minister to discuss issues concerning their constituencies and he advised them to approach the Chief Minister’s secretary as it would be the right way.
“But they reiterated their demand and handed over a letter asking me to facilitate a meeting. Then they met the media with a view to getting cheap publicity. They failed to follow the basic norms with regard to meeting a Chief Minister of a State despite my advice,” said Mr. Dhanapal.
He also referred the complaint by DMDK member R. Sundarrajan against his party members Parthasarathy and Dinakar to the privileges committee for allegedly threatening him in the corridors of the Assembly.
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“They have made denigrating remarks and tried to pull his shirt. He wanted protection and action against the members who had violated his privilege as the member,” the Speaker said.