DMK to give a tough fight in Assembly

Custom has it that the Speaker be inducted jointly by the Legislature Party Leader of the ruling and principal Opposition party. 

Unlike in the 2011-16 tenure, the AIADMK does not have obedient fringe players like Forward Bloc’s Kathiravan to be appointed in committees. 

Instead, it would be one of the 98 members of the Opposition. By virtue of it, the DMK will have a loud say, if not veto powers like the ruling party will have in all Assembly committees, more importantly in the privilege committee, which has the power to recommend members’ suspension in the House. 

Like in the previous Assembly, whoever be the Speaker, it may not be easy to suspend members for a part or an entire session, as K Dhanapal did in the case of DMDK MLAs in the last part of the 2011-16 tenure. 

Stifling the Opposition’s voice in the House may also not be that easy for the ruling party considering that duration of member’s speech will be directly proportionate to his/her party’s representation. 

“We will not let AIADMK run the House like a theatre of sycophants. Whether they like it or not, only a DMK MLA will start a debate. We will raise people’s issues and make them fulfil their promises,” said a DMK senior requesting anonymity. 

“They might train new set of singers to praise their leader in the House, but we will continue to fight for people’s rights,” Congress legislator (elect) Vijayadharani said. 

However, critics are sceptic about the confidence. While agreeing that assembly sessions would be noisy, most political observers concurred that AIADMK would devise a plan to stifle the Opposition’s voice.

“Given its past, AIADMK will not mind summarily expelling all 89 DMK members even by force. Though they come in for severe criticism, the ruling party may stand firm to run the House even without the Opposition,” said a commentator requesting anonymity.