The nationwide strike by 10 Central trade unions against the BJP-led government at the Centre found an echo in the Tamil Nadu Assembly with major Opposition parties, including the DMK, demanding a resolution in the House highlighting the unions’ charter of demands.
Members of the Left parties and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) drew the attention of the House by displaying notices bearing slogans against the Centre. But Speaker P. Dhanapal warned them, saying it was against decorum of the House. “I have allowed the Opposition members to raise the issue. Still you have brought notices against rule of the House. I condemn it strongly and will take severe action if you resort to similar activities in future,” he said. While the DMK members remained in the House, in a rare show of solidarity, Congress members along with the Left, Puthiya Tamizhagam and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi staged a walk out and subsequently tried to stage a road roko in front of Fort St George.
Police prevented them near the main gate. A few MLAs were hit when the security men brought down the iron pipe at the checkpoint. This led to a war of words between MLAs, particularly S. Vijayadharini (Congress) and police officials. “They deliberately brought down the iron pipe to hit us. We need an explanation,” she said. Later, she was admitted to a private hospital and DMK floor leader M.K. Stalin called on her.
CPI(M) MLA K. Annadurai was also hurt, but said he sustained no injuries.
CPI(M) floor leader A. Soundararajan said the Left parties and others tried to stage a road roko to highlight the BJP government’s plan to bring in changes in labour laws, its attempt to destroy rural employment guarantee scheme.
“The Centre has become a proxy of the corporate houses,” said a notice carried by the members. “We are ready to face the arrest. But the police are not ready do it,” Mr. Soundararajan said.
