Intervening the speech of P Ranganathan (DMK) in the State Assembly during the discussion on demands for grants for energy department, the Chief Minister said the DMK member had repeatedly said the State government was trying to create an illusion that Tamil Nadu was a power-surplus State.
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“I have reduced the timings of the shops and closed down 500 shops as the first step of step by step prohibition”. She said the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) had categorically declared this fact in its Load Balance Generation Report.
Incidentally, state Finance Minister O Paneerselvam had made no announcement on “Total Prohibition” in his budget proposals tabled in the assembly on July 22.
Duraimurugan again urged the Speaker to allow him to speak. The Speaker reiterated that he would get his chance later after the Minister’s reply.
“Now all that is not necessary. But now all you have to do is mention about prohibition and Katchatheevu, and they will walk out on their own”. But the DMK MLAs came back to the house to take part in the proceedings in the spirit of a responsible opposition that former CM C N Annadurai would have appreciated, he noted. I have not said anything against the court.
On the twin issues of Katchatheevu and prohibition, sharp exchanges have been witnessed between the ruling AIADMK and Opposition DMK in the past. Jayalalithaa also said that during the previous DMK regime, the TNEB was ruined and the AIADMK during 2011-16 had set right all the wrongs done and made Tamil Nadu bright.
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Likening them to sepoys in the Army who carry out the orders of superiors faithfully with discipline, he said they were like jawans who carry out the Chief Minister’s instructions. Thangamani made the observation referring to Stalin’s criticism. She had said that liquor would affect the oppressed and backward people. She told TOI that even during MGR rule, when Kalaignar (M Karunanidhi) was the opposition leader, the debates were creative and useful to discuss public issues.
