CHENNAI: Leader of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu assembly and DMDK chief Vijayakanth was on Thursday suspended from attending the assembly session for 10 days.The assembly privileges committee took the decision, which was later announced by the Speaker D Jayakumar in the House.
Vijayakanth's suspension came in the wake of his alleged rude behaviour during an argument in the House on Wednesday. Jayakumar told the assembly that during his suspension period he will not be entitled for any benefits meant for an opposition leader.
The Speaker said the other DMDK members, who also behaved in a manner that went against the ethos of the house, were however, being lett off with a warning that they should conduct themselves in a dignified manner in the future.
Soon after the announcement, finance minister O Pannerselvam moved the resolution suspending Vijayakanth. DMDK members shouted slogans against the AIADMK government protesting against the suspension of their leader.
When Jayakumar denied permission to deputy leader of the Opposition Panruti S Ramachandran to seek certain clarifications on the recommendation of the privileges committee, the DMDK members staged a walk out.
Interestingly, members of DMK and Left parties too staged a walk out condemning the decision. DMK leader M K Stalin told reporters outside the assembly that the privileges committee's decision was one sided. While the present session will conclude on February 4, Vijayakanth cannot attend seven days of the next session.
Vijayakanth was the second legislator to be suspended from the assembly during the current session after former Union minister T R Baalu's son and DMK member T R B Raaja. Raaja also faced similar action when he allegedly took video of the assembly proceedings from his mobile.
