Uproar in TN Assembly, DMDK MLAs suspended

The Tamil Nadu Assembly today witnessed tumult after a remark by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition against AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa, with the Speaker's podium being damaged, marshals attacked in the corridor and DMDK MLAs suspended.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition and DMDK MLA, R Mohanraj without naming AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa made an implied reference to her, which was strongly opposed by the treasury benches.
Ruling party members led by Chief Minister O Panneerselvam urged Speaker P Dhanapal to initiate appropriate action against Mohanraj.
Mohanraj's remark came after an AIADMK MLA made an indirect reference to DMDK chief Vijayakanth, which was considered disparaging by his party members.

Speaker Dhanapal expunged Moharaj's remark even as he was arguing noisily and ordered his eviction as he obstructed proceedings.
DMDK MLAs led by party Whip V C Chandrakumar rushed towards the Speaker's podium to protest his eviction.

A melee unfolded and the Speaker's podium was pushed forward and a portion of it was damaged, dockets were flung across and caps of marshals tossed.
DMDK MLAs were evicted forcibly by the marshals and some of them were attacked in the corridor by the MLAs.
Speaker P Dhanapal called the incident a historic low in the annals of the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

Leader of the House and Electricity Minister Natham R Viswanathan moved a resolution seeking suspension of the DMDK MLAs through the rest of the ongoing session. It was adopted by voice vote. The matter was also referred to the Privileges Committee.
"The DMDK MLAs created an unsafe situation for the Speaker, defied his orders, intimidated and attacked the marshals. Chandrakumar and others have repeatedly created ruckus and brought disrepute to the House," Viswanathan said.
DMDK MLAs C H Sekar, K Thinakaran and others attacked and injured the Marshals outside the House (at the corridor) and action will be taken against them, he told the House.