Members of the AIADMK were suspended from the Tamil Nadu assembly for a day after they caused disruptions while trying to discuss the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, which has resulted in the deaths of 58 people so far.
On Tuesday, during Question Hour, opposition legislators from the AIADMK created chaos in the assembly when they attempted to bring up the hooch tragedy. This led to their suspension for the day.
Chief Minister and DMK leader MK Stalin explained that he had provided a detailed account of the incident and outlined the government's response to the tragedy, which has claimed 58 lives to date.
Stalin stated that the Speaker had clearly informed the AIADMK MLAs that the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy would be discussed after Question Hour. Despite this, the AIADMK members continued to disrupt the proceedings.
"They should have stayed back for the discussion. They deliberately wanted to create chaos. The Speaker was forced to evict them from the assembly. I requested the Speaker to allow the Opposition to be present for the discussion on Kallakurichi. The Speaker accepted my request but they are still creating disturbances," Stalin remarked.
The Chief Minister asserted that the INDIA bloc's victory in the Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu had unsettled the AIADMK. The bloc won all 39 parliamentary seats in the state.
"Our victory in the Lok Sabha elections has affected the AIADMK badly. They are indulging in these activities (disrupting House proceedings) to make people forget about our victory," he said.
Stalin also noted that the investigation into the hooch tragedy had been transferred to the CB-CID, and a retired judge would be appointed to inquire into the matter.
"The home secretary and the DGP have also been asked to submit a report. Around 20 people have been arrested so far in connection with the hooch tragedy. Efforts are on to nab the other accused," he added.
In response to AIADMK's demand for a CBI probe into the incident, Stalin said, "I want to remind the AIADMK that the current opposition leader, Edappadi K Palaniswami, faced a CBI probe against him ordered by the court when he was the Chief Minister. At that time, he blocked it, saying he had no trust in the CBI. Now, the same people are asking for a CBI probe in this case."
On Monday, AIADMK MLAs, including the party's General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, wore black shirts as a protest against the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. They continued this protest by wearing black shirts to the assembly on the day of their suspension.
