DMK MLAs oppose salary hike, walk out

DMK working president and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) MK Stalin on Friday opposed the salary hike for MLAs in the Assembly as it came at a time when the state transport employees were struggling hard to receive their dues. However, the Bill was passed by a voice vote.

During the discussion of the Tamil Nadu Payment of Salaries (Amendment) Bill, 2018, Stalin said, ‘’All the DMK MLAs have signed a letter stating they did not want any hike in their salary and that it will be given to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.’’

However, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam intervened and said, “In my perception, Stalin wants political mileage by making such a statement. If the MLAs do not want the salary hike, they can provide the same to Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund.”

Meanwhile, Stalin staged a walkout from the Assembly as speaker P Dhanapal denied permission to revive the Gutkha scam debate. The LoP, during the zero-hour, sought time to raise the issue. However, the Speaker did not allow him to take it up and that led the DMK MLAs to stage a walkout.