DMDK members evicted, CM regrets tie-up with the party

Opposition DMDK members, including their leader Vijayakanth, were today evicted from Tamil Nadu Assembly after a fiery verbal exchange between him and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who dubbed his conduct as "obnoxious" and regretted the tie-up with his party in the assembly polls.

A war of words erupted between AIADMK and DMDK over hike in bus fares and milk prices last year, which soon turned into a one-on-one clash between Jayalalithaa and Vijayakanth with members on either side up on their feet, causing noisy scenes.

The AIADMK chief slammed Vijayakanth for his "lowly act" as he made some gestures at treasury benches and said she regretted joining hands with DMDK for the assembly polls.

Speaker D Jayakumar referred the behaviour of the opposition to the Privileges Committee.

"The behaviour of the opposition leader was obnoxious and it shows what happens if unqualified persons happen to reach top positions", the AIADMK supremo said, in a scathing attack on Vijayakanth, an actor-turned-politician who heads DMDK.

Jayalalithaa said even without DMDK's support, AIADMK would have won last year's Assembly elections as people had made up their mind to end the DMK regime.

She said while she was not prepared for an alliance with DMDK, it was fortunate enough to strike a deal with AIADMK helping it to secure 29 seats and the status of the principal opposition party.

Jayalalithaa said though she did not have the "slightest inclination" for the alliance, she had bowed to her partymen's desire for it. "I regret joining hands with them", she said.

The Speaker later ordered eviction of all DMK members saying their behaviour was not in line with the ethos of the House and referred the matter to the privileges committee.

AIADMK and DMDK had parted ways during the civic polls.