Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has said that the Government would treat every individual as equal before law, unmindful of party affiliations.
In his reply to the debate on the discussion and voting on demands for grants in the State Assembly, he emphasised on zero tolerance on corruption in the State. He said that crimes against women and children will be dealt with utmost priority and said that none it can’t be treated on par with freedom of expression.
In his reply, he also brought to remembrance the allegations by the Enforcement Directorate on various members of the DMK and also accused the previous DMK Governments led by the first family of the DMK.
The DMK members wanted an opportunity to speak when the Chief Minister began his speech referring to a particular public speech of a DMK member in the Assembly and their earlier governance, including allegations of party funds.
But the Speaker, J.C.D. Prabhakar, said that he would allow them once the reply of the Chief Minister was completed. But they continued with their sloganeering throughout the speech and later rushed to the well of the House and started sloganeering.
Later, the leader of the House, K.A. Sengottaiyan, said that the behaviour of the DMK members had violated the rules of the House and demanded action against them.
Later, Chief Minister Vijay recommended that the Opposition might be given an opportunity to talk. Speaker then said that he would like to clear certain issues before that but some DMK members continued with their loud talk.
Later, the opportunity was denied for the Opposition Leader, Udhayanidhi Stalin.
The DMK members then walked out of the Assembly. After a dramatic episode, interacting with newsmen in the campus, Udhayanidhi said that they were not given a single opportunity to explain whatever was alleged against them.