Drawing the attention of the chair, MLA style

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, SEPT. 6. In a dramatic moment in the Assembly today, the DMK MLA, Mr. M. A. Vaithilingam, suddenly stood on a chair to draw the attention of the Speaker.

While the ruling AIADMK members stoutly objected to the behaviour of the ``standing MLA'' , a smiling Speaker asked him to resume his seat.

Climbing down after a couple of minutes, Mr. Vaithilingam defended his stand, saying the Speaker had not turned to the Opposition benches at all.

``I had given a few calling attention notices. But you have not taken them up for discussion.''

But Mr. Kalimuthu said the notice on the drinking water problem in Mr. Vaithilingam's Tambaram constituency had been taken up.

Even as the Electricity Minister, Mr. D. Jayakumar, sought to generate heat over the issue, complaining of the ``indecent behaviour'' of the DMK member, the leader of the Opposition, Mr. K. Anbazhagan, explained that his party colleague had only sought to highlight the water problem.

``For the water-starved people it will be a crumb of comfort if the issue is at least raised in the Assembly,'' Mr.

Anbazhagan said.

Capping the issue, the Speaker said water problem prevailed in the entire State and the Government was initiating steps to resolve the crisis.

When another DMK member, Mr. Parithi Illamvazhuthi, rose in support of Mr. Vaithilingam, the leader of Opposition signalled him not to argue with the Speaker.

Mr. Ilamvazhuthi reluctantly resumed his seat.

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Section  : Southern States
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