An AIADMK ally, Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi's member and TTV Dhinakarn, an independent legislator and a contender for late J Jayalalithaa's welfare legacy, today posed some tough questions to the government on the Tuticorin firings that led to the death of 13 persons.
Soon after the calling attention motion moved by three MLAs was taken up in the assembly, M Thamimun Ansari of MJK said the incumbent government, ushered in by the hard work of late Jayalalithaa,today faced blame due some 'undesirable' incidents, an apparent reference to the police firings on May 22 and 23 that led to the deaths.
He said the G.O (Government Order) directing closure of the Sterlite plant was welcome though belated and added that either convening the Cabinet or a resolution in the House would have been given the move permanence.
Ansari sought to know whether the intelligence department had forewarned the government and wondered why water cannons were not used, something common in such situations.
When he posed another question, the Speaker said such aspects came under the ambit of the Inquiry panel set up to probe the matter.
S P Shanmuganathan (AIADMK) expressed satisfation over the report tabled by the Chief Minsiter on the action taken by the government.
When T T V Dhinakaran said the state had not properly argued the case regarding the Cauvery issue and such a thing should not happen if the copper unit were to approach the court, it led to a flutter in the treasury benches.
In what he termed as government's "inability" over the police firings vis-a-vis violence,he said they should properly argue the case if the matter were to reach the doorsteps of the judiciary.
He said the government was "painting the protestors with the anti-socials brush out of vendetta."
Countering him, Electricity Minister P Thangamani sought to now why he was getting worked up about the reference to anti-socials and added that the AIADMK government had secured a 'historic win' on the Cauvery issue and accused Dhinakaran of speaking in a way that could stoke violence.
Meanwhile, another AIADMK ally, S Karunas, who represents Tiruvadanai seat (Mukkulathor Pulipadai) objected to something when the Minister spoke, which was barely audible.
Earlier,when Stalin wanted the chair to take up the DMK's adjournment motion, it led to an argument between Speaker P Dhanapal and DMK deputy leader Duraimurugan,who said his party leader can be allowed to speak on priority during zero hour.
The Speaker said Stalin could speak on the issue when the motion to call attention over it was taken up,as three members had already given notices, seeking permission to speak.
After the three members, Stalin spoke on the issue.
As soon as the House assembled, Speaker Dhanapal read obituary references on the passing away of seven former members of the House including DMK veteran leader S Madhavan and PMK leader J Guru alias Gurunathan. A brief silence was observed as a mark of respect to them.
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