MISA remark sparks fresh Vijay-DMK showdown

Chennai: Dravidian Progressive Alliance (DMK) launched a sit-in protest on Tuesday outside the Speaker's chamber in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, in objection to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's remarks about the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). As a result, the Speaker ordered marshals to expel DMK legislators from the House.

DMK MLA EV Velu contested the Chief Minister's comments, claiming that reading out pending vigilance cases violated the Assembly's traditions. Velu's plea was granted amidst the commotion.

Vijay had spoken about MISA and the Sarkaria Commission the previous day. Velu argued that commenting on cases under investigation was against the Assembly's traditions. The Speaker declined the DMK's request to erase Vijay's MISA remarks from the proceedings. The DMK was unyielding, refusing to listen to even a minute of Chief Minister Vijay's speech. Vijay had discussed matters already covered in the Assembly regarding the MISA Act, hence no need to expunge his speech, the Speaker contended.

DMK Whip E.V. Velu remarked to the media that they sought an answer to the deteriorating law and order scenario in Tamil Nadu, but the Chief Minister diverted the issue to the MISA Act. The Sarkaria Commission found no one guilty, hence the DMK demanded the Speaker to expunge those portions, but the Speaker refused. The Speaker expelled the DMK legislators forcefully for raising a just demand.

The DMK government once governed effectively, but the TVK is a sham government. The clash ensued after intense exchanges between the ruling party and the Opposition during Assembly proceedings the day before.