Chennai, Mar 17 (PTI) The main opposition AIADMK on Monday moved a resolution seeking removal of Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M Appavu from his office and it was defeated with the ruling DMK and its allies opposing the motion.
While 63 members supported it, 154 MLAs voted against the motion. In the absence of Appavu, Deputy Speaker K Pitchandi held the proceedings. Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami, listing several incidents in the Assembly, alleged Appavu acted partially.
Chief Minister Stalin opposed the resolution and allies of the ruling DMK, including the Congress and Left parties, rallied behind the Speaker and opposed the motion. "People will laugh at such a motion being moved by those who have lost their confidence," Stalin said, lashing out at the main opposition.
While initially a voice vote was held, the AIADMK later insisted on division of votes, a demand which the Chair heeded to. After the voting, Pitchandi announced that 63 members were in favour of the motion, and 154 MLAs were against it and hence the no confidence motion was defeated.
Expelled AIADMK leaders including former CM O Panneersevam and R Vaithilingam extended their support to the motion.
The CM said: "We must not debate if this resolution is to divert attention from confusion within the party (AIADMK), or if this (resolution) is taken up (by the AIADMK) as there is nothing to find fault with the government. Let others outside debate it."
Though opposition members may not be able to openly appreciate Appavu, in their heart of hearts they will be appreciating him, the CM added.
Palaniswami, speaking on the motion against the Speaker, said that when opposition members began making their speeches, there were interruptions and the Speaker also scoffed at them and hastened MLAs to conclude speech saying "conclude by saying thanks."
Due to this, the Oppostion members were unable to fully speak in the Assembly on the problems faced by the people.
"Is this democracy? The House is for discussing people's issues. The Speaker is posing obstacle to speak on the failures of the ruling party and people's problems. On whose command is he acting?" Though the DMK promised live telecast of Assembly proceedings, it has not yet been fulfilled.
Palaniswami also accused Apapvu of 'blacking out,' opposition members by not showing them when they were wearing blackshirts. When AIADMK members spoke during question hour, direct relay was not done on that day. The speeches of opposition members made during zero hour, including his speech, were not telecast. However, the replies of the chief minister and ministers to the questions raised by opposition were telecast.
In view of this, people could not understand the context and the reason for the chief minister and ministers answering. Mentioning specific instances, he alleged partiality.
Referring to the tungsten issue raised by Rajan Chellappa, Palaniswami said Appavu accused the opposition of instigating the protest. Only after over two years, the Speaker agreed to the AIADMK's request, made wayback in 2022, on naming R B Udhayakumar as deputy leader and Agri SS Krishnamurthy as deputy secretary.
Palaniswami accused Appavu of partisanship as K Selvaperunthagai, leader of the ruling DMK's ally, the Congress party was appointed chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts, though traditionally that position is reserved for a nominee from the principal opposition party.
Referring to a specific incident involving loss of lives which his party tried to raise in 2022, he alleged Appavu prevented the minister and chief minister to answer questions and showed partiality.
Stalin said Appavu functioned in an impartial manner, committed to democratic principles and though polite he was firm.
Recalling that a similar resolution was moved in 2017 by the DMK when the AIADMK was in power, the chief minister underscored violations, and deviations from traditions witnessed at that time. After the DMK assumed power, since he was firm that such violations must not happen, he handed over that responsibiity to Appavu. He has been fulfilling that responsibility well and he is treating everyone equally. Listing specific words used against the DMK in the past, he said, such words, if used are expunged immediately by the Speaker.
Appavu, unlike what was seen in previous regimes (AIADMK), always tries to pacify the opposition and never intends to evict them. Pointing to several other aspects which showed respecting and providing more opportunities to the Opposition, the chief minister said: "Appavu has functioned as the guru of the culture to be followed in the House, he was not only the Speaker."
When Palaniswami made a point listing instances since 1972, involving faceoff between the AIADMK and DMK, it was expunged following interventions by leaders of the government, including Chief Minister Stalin.
The AIADMK leader said the DMK had promised conducting Assembly proceedings 100 days a year and as per that assurance, during the past four years, the House should have been met for 400 days. However, the House functioned for only 116 days.
Palaniswami, later speaking to reporters, wondered how Appavu himself could answer questions posed by the opposition while the ministers should be replying.
