The State Assembly on Monday witnessed noisy scenes for around five minutes over a remark made by Transport Minister V Senthil Balaji, leading to the en masse eviction of DMK members. Two DMK MLAs - S S Sivasankar (Kunnam constituency) and J Anbazhagan (Chepauk-Triplicane) were suspended for two days for unruly behaviour.
Replying to the discussion on allegations over the award of contract for the purchase of GPS-driven ticketing machines, Balaji said DMK floor leader M K Stalin had no locus standi to raise the issue. This drew sharp reactions from the DMK MLAs and they demanded expunction of the remark saying it went against House norms. A few members moved towards the well of the House and Sivasankar was seen arguing with Speaker P Dhanapal. At one point, he thumped the table of the Speaker even as Anbazhagan shouted out loud, though he could not be heard in the din. The Speaker’s appeal proved futile and he called in the marshalls to evict them. Later, Leader of the House O Panneerselvam moved a resolution for suspending the two DMK MLAs for two days, which was adopted by voice vote.