Chennai, April 15
AIADMK MLA and former minister R.B. Udhayakumar criticized the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker for denying the opposition an opportunity to raise a no-confidence motion on Monday.
Speaking to reporters, Udhayakumar said the AIADMK had submitted a letter addressed to the Speaker requesting permission to introduce a no-confidence motion. "The Speaker acknowledged receipt and assured he would consider it. However, even after the Question Hour, we were not given a chance to speak," he said.
AIADMK sought to move no-confidence motions against several ministers, including senior DMK leader KN Nehru, following recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids against him and his son, MP Arun Nehru.
Udhayakumar said, "The ED has released statements about the investigation, yet we are being denied the right to discuss this inside the Assembly. This is not a discussion against the nation."
Furthermore, he also cited the recent controversial speech by K Ponmudy, former Deputy General Secretary of DMK, which was derogatory and "vulgar" against women and certain sects of Hinduism.
"Tamil culture has always held women in high regard. It is unacceptable for a minister who made such remarks to continue in office. We strongly condemn this," he added.
The AIADMK leader further criticized Minister Senthil Balaji and reiterated the party's demand to move no-confidence motions against all three ministers.
Udhayakumar also accused the DMK of double standards, referring to past policy decisions made during the tenure of former CM Karunanidhi. "The current government is raising concerns about education being moved to the Concurrent List, but when they were in power and they remained silent," he said.
Udhayakumar alleged that democratic norms were being violated in the House. "Even after the Chief Minister's statement, the Speaker refused to allow us to speak. We see this as an act of killing democracy. In the Tamil Nadu Assembly today, democracy itself is under question," he said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is concerning! The opposition should always have a voice in the Assembly. Democracy works when all sides can be heard. ðŸ‘
While I agree with the principle of allowing discussion, Udhayakumar's party wasn't exactly a champion of free speech when they were in power either. Both sides need to practice what they preach.
The comments about women and Hinduism are truly disturbing. Regardless of party lines, such language has no place in our politics. We need more respectful discourse.
ED raids and no-confidence motions seem to be becoming political tools rather than genuine accountability measures. The public deserves better from all parties involved.
As someone who remembers the Karunanidhi era, it's interesting to see how positions change when parties switch between government and opposition! History keeps repeating itself in TN politics.
The Speaker should provide clear reasons for denying the motion. Transparency is key to maintaining public trust in our democratic institutions.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.