The Opposition DMK and its allies Congress and IUML boycotted the customary address of governor Banwarilal Purohit during the first session of the state Assembly. But what attracted many is the fact that the sidelined AIADMK leader and new incumbent TTV Dinakaran watched all the proceedings in calm and composed posture while actor S Karunas (Mukkulathor Pulippadai) and Thameemun Ansari (Jayananayaka Manithaneya Makkal Katchi) both allies of the AIADMK and contested the last election on two leave s symbol boycotted it.
Though Dinakaran has been greeted in the assembly by only the AIADMK MLA’s supporting him and some of the DMK MLAs, unlike some rebel MLA’s of the party behaved in the assembly, he seated and watched the proceedings throughout.
Later speaking to journalists after the session, Dinkaran said there was nothing new or encouraging or inspiring in the Governor’s address to the House.
Thanga Tamilselvan trusted lieutenant of Dinakaran said the faction was waiting for the Madras High Court order on the petition submitted by the 18 rebel MLAs challenging their disqualification by the Speaker. “A change in leadership is imminent in Tamil Nadu. Politics in Tamil Nadu will undergo big change the day the Court delivers the verdict.
Many MLAs are in touch with us and why they are continuing with the Edappadi Palaniswamy faction is only because of their fear that they would lose the membership of the House if they join us,” said Tamilselvan.
According to some other political observers, Dinakaran’s gesture could also be considered as his new approach of not aggravating the present rivalry, expecting a patch up in the future. The statement made by Kamal Hassan, film actor, ridiculing the voters of RK Nagar as beggars too has put to rest, at least for the time being, the animosity between the two factions. Both the factions were united in their criticism of Kamal Hassan, whom they accuse of humiliating the voters. Dinakaran and senior minister D Jayakumar were unanimous in their criticism of the actor.
While addressing the media, Stalin said “The government headed by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has no right to continue in office since it has lost the majority in the Assembly.
The Election Commission of India itself has said that the EPS government has got only 111 MLA’s with them. But instead of directing the government to prove its majority in the House, the governor is reading the speech prepared by this government. Hence, we have decided to boycott the address of the governor.”
Stalin also criticised the governor for his interference in state affairs by calling district-level review meeting of officials bypassing the state and watering down the cooperative federalism.
The current session is going to witness more tumultuous moments as the opposition is planning to raise issues like the ongoing indefinite strike by transport corporations employees and the inadequate compensation and relief to the victims of Ochki in the southern part of the state.
The ongoing strike of transport corporations employees which entered 6th day even though the Madras High court has ordered them to end the strike which causes tremendous hardships to the commuters just before the Pongal festival, which falls on 14 January.
Though government and the striking opposition led employees federations accusing each other of the situation, the strike seeking a wage revision by the employees just ahead of Pongal has created an ire among people against the government.