DMK stages walkout over ignored norms

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DMK MLAs on Monday staged a walkout from the state Assembly accusing chief minister J. Jayalalithaa of ‘‘functioning against the Assembly norms’’.

Even as Speaker D. Jayakumar invited finance minister O. Panneerselvam to present the budget, DMK House leader M. K. Stalin and DMDK deputy leader Panruti S. Ramachandran rose to speak.

They were denied permission. Stalin announced that his party was staging a walkout condemning the government’s announcements before the budget presentation.

Talking to reporters, Stalin said since the chief minister had no ‘trust in the budget’ the DMK members too displayed their mistrust in the budget by staging a walkout.

“Normally new announcements are made only in the budget. But the CM is making announcements before the budget and this is against the norms of the Assembly,” Stalin said.

DMDK MLAs, however, remained in the House. DMDK leader Vijayakanth who is under suspension can attend the House proceedings only after a week.

Sources say DMK MLAs had written to Speaker D. Jayakumar seeking allotment of seat in front row for DMK chief M. Karunanidhi. As the Speaker did not respond to the letter, DMK chief refrained from attending the session.