[1]There were heated exchanges between the Treasury Benches and the Opposition DMDK members over the prolonged and conspicuous absence of DMDK founder Vijayakanth in the Assembly during the ongoing budget session.
AIADMK member R. Manohar remarked, “Mr Vijayakanth seems not to repose faith in the Assembly to which the electorate had sent him. Instead, he prefers to receive petitions from the public in his party members’ constituencies as he does not trust his legislators.”
This evoked spontaneous protests from the DMDK legislators who stood up and insisted that their leader was not shy of attending the Assembly.
They also demanded that Speaker D. Jayakumar expunge the remarks. While speaking on the demand for grants for the Hindu religious and charitable endowments department on Tuesday, Mr Manohar commented that Mr Vijayakanth, instead of receiving petitions from the public in his party MLAs’ constituencies under the scorching sun, should be in the Assembly to discuss people’ issues.
This led to arguments between the DMDK members and Treasury Benches. DMDK whip V.C. Chandra Kumar clarified that his leader had gone to the districts to obtain direct feedback from the public.
“While you are here debating various issues, your leader has decided otherwise,” local administration minister K.P. Munusamy retorted. Even as DMDK member Pandiarajan stood up several times to react, the Speaker warned him 'not to get emotional over the issue but debate rationally'.
When housing minister R. Vaithilingam sought to know if Mr Vijayakanth would attend the Assembly or return to his film shoot, Mr Chandra Kumar replied, “He will come to the House at an appropriate time.”
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