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`Speaker changed ruling at AIADMK instance'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI Jan. 31. Leaders of the main Opposition parties — DMK, Congress, Pattali Makkal Katchi, CPI (M) and CPI — today met the Speaker, K.Kalimuthu, and requested him to withdraw the proceedings initiated against the DMK MLA, Parithi Ilamvazhuthi, yesterday and allow him to attend the Assembly.

Their petition alleged that the Speaker had changed his ruling three times at the behest of the AIADMK. The member was handed three sentences for one offence and this was not acceptable.

First, the Speaker ordered his eviction and then ruled that the incident involving Mr. Ilamvazhuthi be referred to the Privileges Committee. In another modification, the Speaker said criminal proceedings would be launched against the MLA. How could a member be punished thrice for a single offence?

The petition sought to explain the unfortunate incidents, which occurred as a result of ``unparliamentary observations'' made by D. Kumaradas of the Tamil Maanila Kamaraj Congress.

Amidst din, the petition alleged, Dr. Kumaradas referred to Mr. Ilamvazhuthi by his caste ``in a derogatory manner'' and threatened to kill him. Mr. Ilamvazhuthi responded, saying he was prepared to face any threat then and there. He then moved away. But Rohini Krishnakumar of the AIADMK, who was nearby, stopped him and threatened to kill the member. At this, Malayappasamy, Murugavelrajan and Parimohan, all PMK members, intervened to avoid further problems. However, many AIADMK members left their seats and advanced menacingly, mouthing obscenities. Some Ministers also used unparliamentary language.

But the Speaker sought to hide these facts and gave a decision, which was not based on the truth, the petition said.

In the normal course and according to traditions, the complaint against Mr. Ilamvazhuthi should have been given to the Speaker and he should have acted on it. But Mr. Kalimuthu let M.A. Hakkeem (TMKC) talk on the subject and allowed the member to put forth the demand for a criminal complaint. The Opposition demanded that the Speaker take into consideration the complaint filed by Mr. Ilamvazhuthi.

Kalimuthu charge

Asked about the Opposition plea, Mr. Kalimuthu said he had received the petition. He would look into it in due course. On the fate of the criminal proceedings, he said he had forwarded the complaint to the Chief Secretary for further action.

Mr. Kalimuthu dismissed the charge that three punishments were handed for a single offence, saying it was all part of a process. He said Mr. Ilamvazhuthi and K. Ponmudi, also of the DMK, were repeatedly trying to create disturbances in the House and had even talked in a derogatory manner about him. Mr. Ilamvazhuthi had already been punished and the present course was the only option open in the light of his repeated offensive behaviour. ``I have only done my duty.''

It was only the DMK which was indulging in unruly behaviour in the House. Each time leaders of the other parties — Congress, PMK, CPI (M) or CPI — rose to speak, their members resumed their seats. But this was not the case with the DMK. During a heated debate, when Mr. Durai Murugan was given a chance to speak, a few other DMK members were also on their feet, trying to scream something or the other.

On the charge that he was acting the way he did as he aspired for higher positions, Mr. Kalimuthu said there could be nothing above the Speaker's post. ``Anything else will be a climbdown.''

Police complaint against Kumaradas

Meanwhile, Mr. Ilamvazuthi lodged a complaint at the City Police Commissioner's office alleging that he was threatened with dire consequences and subjected to casteist abuse by Dr. Kumaradas.

Mr. Ilamvazuthi told reporters he was abused both inside and outside the Assembly hall. "I have already given a complaint to the Speaker. I am now formally lodging a complaint with the Police Commissioner and also with the Social Justice CID as he (Dr. Kumaradas) used casteist slurs and epithets," he said. As the Commissioner was not available, he handed over the complaint at his office and received a receipt.

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