DMK allotted land for expansion of copper unit in Thoothukudi: TN CM

Reiterating that the GO would stand legal scrutiny, the CM said the orders were passed after consultations with legal experts. He was responding to Opposition charges that it would not pass the test of law and that only a policy decision backed by the Cabinet would have far reaching implications to ensure the company’s closure.

Calling Sterlite as an offender defying orders issued by the State Pollution Control Board, the Chief Minister observed that it was the first time they have sealed the plant in view of the people’s protests in Thoothukudi district and as well as in respect of their sentiments.

Refuting the DMK for blaming the AIADMK for allowing the plant to continue with expansion, the Chief Minister blamed the Leader of Opposition MK Stalin for providing permission for the plant’s expansion besides offering 230 acres of land for the same. As DMK ally KAM Muhammed Abu Backer took exceptions to the CM’s remarks, Palaniswami lost his cool and said that he was only presenting facts.

“Did he (Stalin) not give 230 acres of land for Sterlite? When he was the Industries Minister, he has mentioned that Sterlite would expand at a cost of Rs 1,500 crore. These facts are verifiable and can also be obtained through RTI,” he snapped back at the lone IUML legislator in the House. “I have not made any false accusations when the DMK staged walkout. Everything that I have said is a fact and can be supported with proof,” he added.

The leader of opposition Stalin, meanwhile, dared Palaniswami for a day-long debate on Sterlite. He said the DMK was ready to attend the Assembly if the CM convenes the cabinet meet, takes a policy decision and passes a comprehensive GO on permanent closure of the Sterlite plant.

Pertinently, Prohibition Minister P Thagamani told the House that the DMK, which insists on not returning to the Assembly till the CM demitted his office, would never return to the House as the resignation would never happen.

On future course of Sterlite closure, RK Nagar legislator TTV Dhinakaran said, “A policy decision should be given effect to by enacting a law which should be forwarded to the Centre for ratification from the President. This will be the only way forward to keep Sterlite Smelter closed.”

Just as remainder of Opposition – Congress, along with RK Nagar MLA TTV Dhinakaran, sought the ruling dispensation to usher the Principal Opposition back to the House. The government asserted that there is no bar for the DMK to attend the Assembly proceedings.

Both Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswsami and his Deputy O Paneerselvam noted that the DMK has staged a walkout on their own volition and there were no objections for them to return to the Assembly.

As the DMK’s boycott entered the third day, the issue was raised by the Congress legislator S Vijayadharani and she said the ruling party should bring back legislators of the Opposition party. Insisting that the DMK should be invited to attend the Assembly proceedings as it was done traditionally in the past during the Kamaraj and MGR regimes, the Congress MLA said the respective regimes used to hold parleys with the Opposition members whenever they staged a walk out and make them participate in the session.

AMMK leader Dhinakaran, who observed that Assembly is the highest forum where the issues of people are debated, said, “I request the Speaker who has a rich experience in handling issues, to reach out to the DMK and talk them into joining the democratic process of attending the Assembly.” “In order to carry out democratic functions, the House should also have the Opposition,” Dhinakaran added.

Panneerselvam, in his reply, noted that Congress has changed their mind on boycotting the session and its ally DMK too can follow suit. “We have not taken any action against them (DMK). We provide them with opportunities for the LoP and deputy LoP as and when necessary to voice their concerns on issues. They should come back like their ally Congress. They are free to attend the Assembly,” he said.

Palaniswami said the Opposition should learn from late J Jayalalithaa. Palaniswami, recalling en masse eviction of AIADMK members in 2006, said, “She single-handedly took on the treasury benches which interjected in as many as 67 times in her nearly hour-long debate. The decision not to attend the Assembly is theirs, and the choice to attend is also theirs. There is no hurdle for DMK members returning to the House to discharge their democratic duties.” Meanwhile, the DMK announced mock assembly sessions in Tirunelveli, Trichy and Salem districts on May 5, 8 and 12 respectively.