Date:04/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/04/stories/2007110458640100.htm

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Speaker will decide: Karunanidhi

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker R. Avudaiappan will take a decision on whether to receive the notice issued by the Madras High Court in a case filed by the AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa on the basis of the powers vested in him, said Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

Permission taken

Replying to questions, Mr. Karunanidhi denied that the privilege issue was brought against Ms. Jayalalithaa without the Speaker’s permission. Quoting from Assembly records, Mr. Karunanidhi said Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin gave a letter to the Speaker on October 19 seeking his permission to raise the privilege issue against Ms. Jayalalithaa and the Speaker gave permission.

Written reply

Unlike Ms. Jayalalithaa, he did not go to court when a privilege issue was raised against him during the previous AIADMK regime.

Instead he had sent a written reply to the committee, Mr. Karunanidhi said.