The Lok Sabha on Tuesday saw BJP MPs quick to defend its ally, the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu. This after there was commotion in the House over former Union Minister and DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran’s criticism of the Tamil Nadu government while he was speaking on a motion of thanks on the President's speech. Three BJP MPs who were quick to point out that Maran should not criticise a state government using 'offensive' terms, however, did not raise any objections when BJP MP Tejasvi Surya made a similar criticism of the Karnataka government.
The Chennai Central MP was speaking on a motion of thanks on the President’s speech when he hit out at the Edappadi Palaniswami-led government in Tamil Nadu, accusing it of not doing enough to prevent the water scarcity in the state. A portion of his speech was expunged after three BJP MPs including Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal raised objections to references made against the AIADMK.
Dayanidhi accused the AIADMK of being complacent and not implementing projects to prevent the water scarcity that the state is presently facing. It was BJP MP from Jharkhand Nishikant Dubey, who made a point of order and first demanded that Dayanidhi Maran’s remarks be expunged by the Speaker. Bringing out the rule book, Nishikant urged the Speaker to expunge the DMK MP’s words, noting, “A member while speaking shall not use offensive expression about the conduct of any proceedings of Parliament or any state Legislature. He is trying to use offensive language against the AIADMK government, and the government of Tamil Nadu.”
While Speaker Om Birla said Dayanidhi’s words would be expunged, the move angered the DMK MP, who went on to attack the AIADMK government further. This time, however, he was interrupted by BJP MP from Bihar Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who once again quoted from the rule book, to ask the Speaker why Dayanidhi Maran was being allowed to speak about a particular state when he was speaking on a motion of thanks on the President’s speech. “Chapter 5: President’s address and message to the House, page 9, paragraph 17. On such a day, the House shall be at liberty to discuss the matter to refer to such a motion of thanks moved by a member and seconded by another member. Where does Tamil Nadu figure in the speech of the President? He’s talking about the nation’s progress. Why are you severing one particular state and allowing a member to talk about one particular party of Tamil Nadu?” Rajiv asked.
The former Union Minister, however, continued his speech. This time he hit out at the alliance between the BJP and the AIADMK and said that it was understandable that the BJP was jumping in to defend its ally. Quick to interrupt was Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal of the BJP calling Dayanidhi’s remarks unparliamentary.
Maran was allowed to continue his speech, where he then raised the Cauvery issue and strongly objected to Karnataka’s Mekadatu project. Meanwhile, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya from the BJP said that the opposition has a kind of arrogance and sense of entitlement, despite its defeat. He also targeted the Congress and called the Karnataka government 'corrupt'.