The tradition of Chief Ministers according respect to leaders of the Opposition parties during debates in the Assembly has been given a short shrift by the AIADMK government, DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin alleged on Friday.
Addressing a public meeting on ‘The plight of democracy in the Assembly,’ organised by the party here, he recalled how the former Chief Ministers and leaders such as K. Kamaraj, C. N. Annadurai, M. Karunandhi and M.G. Ramachandran allowed Opposition members to even make personal attacks in the Assembly. “But now, Opposition parties are not allowed even to raise issues of public importance,” he said.
Mr. Stalin said deliberate attempts were being made by the ruling party members to make “cheap and defaming remarks” against DMK president Karunanidhi in the Assembly.
The rally was part of a State-wide protest organised by the party. Mr. Karunanidhi addressed a rally in Chennai on Thursday.
Summons issuedVivek Narayanan
reports from Chennai:
The principal sessions court in Chennai has served summons on DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin and CPI(M) State secretary G. Ramakrishnan to appear on September 3 and 2 respectively in connection with the defamation cases filed against them by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
