Puducherry Assembly witnesses rare bonhomie between DMK and AIADMK

The Puducherry Assembly on Thursday witnessed a rare bonhomie between the DMK and the AIADMK during the discussion on Motion of Thanks to the Lieutenant Governor’s customary address. 

Opposition leader and DMK MLA representing Karaikal South, A. M. H. Nazeem, while participating in the discussion, made a reference to the delay in conducting election for the post of Speaker even three months after the AINRC-BJP combine formed the government in Puducherry. He said the DMK wanted the Puducherry Assembly to have an elected Speaker at the earliest.

At the time of the discussion, Pro-tem Speaker A. Anbalagan, who belongs to the AIADMK, was conducting the proceedings of the House. Pointing to the Speaker’s chair, Mr. Nazeem said “the government may even continue with the Pro-tem Speaker arrangement for the rest of its tenure but the DMK want an elected Speaker for the Assembly. We don’t mind you [Mr. Anbalagan] continuing as Speaker. It is our wish also.” 

Supporting the stand taken by Mr. Nazeem, DMK legislator V. Cartigueyane said the party wanted the government to complete the Speaker election at the earliest. When Mr. Anbalagan objected to the DMK members raising certain charges against the Lt. Governor on the Speaker election issue, Mr. Cartigueyane said “we are raising the issue in favour of you [Mr. Anbalagan]. We have spoken in support of you.”