Chennai: Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar directed the Privileges Committee to investigate the matter in which DMK MLA Markandeyan allegedly made defamatory remarks about Chief Minister Vijay.
In the debate held yesterday in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on the General Budget and the Agriculture Budget, members said the following:
Vilathikulam MLA Markandeyan: The government’s budget is nothing but a mirage. I am happy that the minister spoke about Bharathidasan. That is why I have once again been given the opportunity to speak in this House after being behind prison bars.
Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar: The member said that he came from behind the prison gates. Since the case is pending, let us not discuss it. Since the member spoke about the Chief Minister, action should be taken against him.
Assembly Speaker Prabhakar: Minister Aadhav Arjuna has submitted a letter seeking action regarding the defamatory remarks made about the Chief Minister. His speech in public has caused distress to everyone. It was generally obscene speech.
Violent speech is something that should be avoided, and leaders of each party should condemn it first. Therefore, I am referring the member’s speech to the Privileges Committee for inquiry.
E.V. Velu (DMK): The member Markandeyan has already gone to jail. It is only based on what is spoken in the House that a matter is referred for breach of privilege.
It is unheard of to investigate the same issue in two places and impose punishment. Therefore, the House should consider that.
Chairman Prabhakar: We will refer it to the Privileges Committee and inquire into it. After that, we will take the next course of action.
Please forget it
Markandeyan: DMK leader M.K. Stalin and Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin advised that speaking about the Chief Minister was wrong.
Therefore, I kindly request that the words that came out without my knowledge be forgotten. This was the discussion.
