Officials’ absence embarrasses govt.

 Against tradition of House: DMK

The brief absence of senior Indian Administrative Service officials and the Director General of Police from the officers’ gallery in the State Legislative Assembly caused huge embarrassment to the AIADMK government on Thursday, as the DMK questioned their absence not just once but twice, contending it was against the tradition of the House.

DMK Deputy Floor Leader Duraimurugan went on to say that he would not commence his speech on the debate on the demand for grants on the police department until the DGP and the Chennai Police Commissioner arrived in the House.

“It has long been the tradition of this House that the police officers are present during the police (department) demand. You can ask former DGP R. Natraj (Mylapore AIADMK MLA), who is here,” Mr. Duraimurugan said and refused to continue his speech until the officers came.

Even as the Leader of the House K.A. Sengottaiyan said the DGP was in the adjacent conference hall and would arrive soon, DGP T.K. Rajendran was seen rushing into the officers’ gallery. When Minister P. Thangamani contended that that the DMK cannot compel the government on this account, Mr. Duraimurugan said it was only part of the tradition of the House.

When the Chief Minister, other Ministers and the MLAs gestured that the officer had arrived, Mr. Duraimurugan went ahead with his speech.