Stalemate continued in Tamil Nadu Assembly as opposition DMK MLAs created ruckus ahead of floor test on the confidence motion moved by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisamy this morning. As we went to the press the House was adjourned till 3 pm.

Trouble started after Speaker P. Dhanpal rejected the demand for a secret ballot by MLAs belonging to former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam camp, who were supported by the DMK, Congress and IUML.

Speaker Dhanapal walked out of the Assembly adjourning the house till 1 pm amid violence by DMK MLAs who tore papers, broke chairs and pulled off microphones after the Speaker rejected their demand. Later, when the House met again at 1 pm, the DMK MLAs continued their protest and refused to vacate the House even after being expelled by the Speaker.

Earlier in the morning, DMK leader Stalin and Congress floor leader Ramasamy demanded a secret ballot or an adjournment saying most MLAs were not in a free position to cast their votes. When the Speaker insisted that he will go by his powers and decide on whether or not to allow secret voting, the DMK members rushed to the well of the House raising slogans.  

When the House met again at 1 pm, Speaker Dhanpal said his shirt was torn and he was insulted by the MLAs. He said that as per Assembly Rule 19(1), he has to conduct the House. In reply, DMK leader Stalin said the Speaker could adjourn the House under rule 122 when there was an extraordinary situation. But the Speaker resumed the session and immediately, the DMK MLAs rushed to the well of the house once again shouting slogans. Speaker ordered their eviction. When the ward and watch staff tried to evict them, they resisted and sat in a dharna forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House till 3 pm.

This is the first time in 30 years that Tamil Nadu Assembly is facing a first floor test. If the AIADMK’s official strength is 134, there are 11 dissidents including Panneerselvam.