AIADMK, DMK clash in Rajya Sabha

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 27. A discussion on the imposition of President's rule in Manipur in the Rajya Sabha today led to a verbal duel between the AIADMK and the DMK, over an apparent reference to the recent occurrence in Tamil Nadu last month but ended on a lighter note.

The newly-elected MP and AIADMK leader, Mr. P.G. Narayanan, today sought to counter an apparent reference to the recent events in Tamil Nadu only to be told by the Chair to refrain from raising issues outside the subject matter of discussion.

During discussion, the DMK member, Mr. Viduthalai Virumbi, said his party was against the use of Article 356 and attacked the Congress for supporting the imposition of Central rule in Manipur while not doing so in another State, where human rights were violated.

Later, when Mr. Narayanan's turn came he sought to counter it with specific instances and defended the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa.

The vice-chairman, Mr. Suresh Pachauri, who was in the Chair, asked the AIADMK member to speak only on the resolution even as the Congress MP, Mr. Balkavi Bairagi, commented in a lighter vein: ``You (Mr. Narayanan) have converted your maiden speech into madam speech,'' amidst peals of laughter.

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