The Hindu : When a back-bencher moved forward

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 20, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

When a back-bencher moved forward

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI April 19. What's in a seat? Well, in the Assembly it makes a sea of difference. And, the TMC MLA, M. A. Hakkeem, who coolly occupied his colleague's seat, realised the mistake, much to his embarrassment and to the amusement of the entire House.

During question hour, Mr. Hakkeem, a backbencher, moved to seat of the Virudhunagar MLA, S. Damodaran, in the penultimate row, as the latter was not present. When Mr. Damodaran's query on construction of a bus stand in the Sivakasi constituency was taken up, Mr. Hakkeem raised supplementaries.

As the Speaker, K. Kalimuthu, looked perplexed, the DMK member, M. A.Vaithilingam, asked him whether a member could raise queries occupying another MLA's seat.

A grinning Hakkeem insisted that he had moved in there as he was raising supplementaries on behalf of Mr. Damodaran. The Speaker was amused but asked Mr. Hakkeem to go to his seat. ``You cannot encroach on another MLA's seat.'' The House plunged into laughter as Mr. Hakkeem reluctantly went back with a sheepish grin.

An hour later, it was Mr.Vaithilingam's turn to feel embarrassed. When the Speaker called the Forward Bloc member, L. Santhanam, to move a cut motion, Mr.Vaithilingam forgetfully rose. But the Speaker gently asked him to resume his seat and wait for his turn. The fun over seating over, it was the turn of the mikes to trigger another round of laughter.

The tall MLA, M. Appavu (Independent), who had to bend low to reach the mikes, appealed to the Speaker on behalf of all ``towering'' colleagues, including the film actor, Napoleon, to increase the height of the mikes.

The Speaker agreed, but with a punchline.

``For exalted people, there will be exalted mikes''.

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