DMK Mlas Evicted After Uproar Over Vijay's Graft Remarks

(MENAFN- IANS) Chennai, Sep 8 (IANS) DMK legislators were evicted from the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday after they protested to demand the removal of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's corruption allegations against the party from the record.

Trouble began soon after proceedings commenced when DMK whip E.V. Velu raised remarks made by Vijay on Monday. He argued that the Chief Minister's references to Enforcement Directorate documents and the Sarkaria Commission report violated rules and should be expunged.

Vijay had cited an ED communication while alleging that contractors handling works for the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department were made to pay between 7.5 and 10 per cent of contract values as bribes described as "party funds".

He had also referred to the Sarkaria Commission's findings concerning the Veeranam drinking water project during an earlier DMK government.

Velu disputed the use of those records and maintained that the Sarkaria Commission had not established criminal offences. He also objected to references involving former DMK leaders and allegations linking party funds with government contracts.

Law Minister R. Nirmalkumar defended the Chief Minister, saying his statement was based on official ED material and the Sarkaria Commission report. He reiterated the government's position that Vijay had placed information already available in the public domain before the House.

Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar rejected the DMK's demand for expunction. He said there was nothing improper in the Chief Minister referring to publicly available documents or matters that had previously figured in Assembly discussions. The Speaker also noted that Vijay had completed his speech on Monday despite repeated objections from the opposition benches.

The ruling failed to pacify the DMK members, who continued shouting slogans and moved towards the Speaker's podium. Several legislators gathered in the Well and pressed for the remarks to be deleted.

Leader of the House K.A. Sengottaiyan then sought action against the protesting members under Assembly rules. The Speaker gave the DMK members a minute to return to their seats and indicated that either Velu or K.N. Nehru would be allowed to speak if order was restored.

When the protest continued, Prabhakar warned the members against displaying posters brought into the chamber without permission. He subsequently directed marshals to remove them. The DMK legislators continued raising slogans as they were escorted out, bringing the confrontation over Vijay's allegations into a second consecutive day.

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