JOIN USRajya Sabha witnessed dramatic moments on Monday when a sobbing AIADMK member Sasikala Pushpa alleged threat to her life.
Sasikala also said that a ‘leader’ slapped her and her party was forcing her to resign as an MP. The Tuthukudi-based MP rush-ed to the Well of the House as the Zero Hour proceedings began and was assured by Deputy Chairman P J Kurien that she would get a chance to speak.
Sasikala got embroiled in a controversy after she told the media about a slapping incident. “I slapped him (DMK MP Tiruchi Siva) four times on his face,” she had said. However, Siva denied this and said she slapped him only once.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and party chief Jayalalithaa said the Rajya Sabha member was expelled from all posts, including the primary membership, as she acted against the principles of the party.
“Her behaviour has brought great disrepute to the party,” she said. Jayalalithaa instructed all the party cadres not to have any contact with Sasikala.
In the Rajya Sabha, Sasikala said Tiruchi Siva has apologised to her for making remarks against Jayalalithaa and she behaved “in that manner just out of emotions”.
“I am being threatened to resign from this post. I will not do it. Where is women’s safety in this country? I was harassed yesterday. I was slapped yesterday...If an MP is being slapped by a leader, where is human dignity,” she said amid protests from AIADMK MPs. “I need protection. In Tamil Nadu, I don’t have safety. There is threat to my life,” she added.
MPs from the Congress and Samajwadi Party among other parties came to her support though Navaneethakrishnan (AIADMK) demanded that Sasikala’s remarks be expunged.
Reacting to Anandiben’s resignation, Patel quota stir leader Hardik Patel hit out at her in a video message. He said she was “running away from responsibility” and her resignation was nothing but a political stunt.
DH News Service