Breach of privilege against DMDK members

CHENNAI: A breach of privilege issue was raised against DMDK members in the St-ate Assembly on Wednesday. Speaker D Jayakumar referred it to the Privileges Committee of the House.  During zero hour, Leader of the House, O Panneerselvam, said that the remarks made by DMDK members outside the House on April 17, attributing motive to the decision of the Speaker in altering the DMDK chamber, caused breach of privilege. Panneerselvam said the the DMDK chamber was altered to give room for Co-ngress members and work in this regard was completed before April 16.  However, DMDK members chose not to raise the issue on April 16 in the State Assembly.  But they did it on April 17, after being instigated by some persons.Despite the Speaker’s repeated requests not to criticise his decision violating the rules, the DMDK members handed over copies of a letter prepared beforehand to CM J Jayalalithaa, the Speaker and to Leader of the House and stag-ed a walkout. In the letter, they said that “political motive was behind the decision of the Speaker” and also linked the CM in this issue unnecessarily. They even dared to face any privilege issue.  Panneerselvam said the DMDK members led by their Whip V C Chandirakumar said all these were only to gain cheap political publicity. As such, the issue should be referred to the Privileges Committee of the House. Accepting his suggestion, the Speaker referred the issue to the Privileges Committee.”Deputy Leader of Opposition S Ramachandran asked for an opportunity for a personal clarification. However, the Leader of the House said the rule would not permit dicussion on the ruling given by the Speaker.