Chennai, July 10 (IANS) Members of the ruling DMK and the opposition PMK nearly came to blows in the Tamil Nadu assembly Friday after the speaker refused to accept the opposition’s demand for immediately expunging the remarks of a ruling party legislator.
Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi, Deputy Chief Minister M.K.Stalin and PMK president G.K.Mani were not present in the house at the time.

In his speech during the discussion on the demand for grants for the highway department, DMK’s Sivanandham made some observations which the PMK legislators objected to. However, he continued with his speech infuriating the opposition members further.

To the PMK members’ demands to expunge the remarks of Sivanandham, Speaker T.Avudaippan said he would go through the speech and decide on the matter.

However, the DMK members opposed the demand and as commotion ensued three PMK members rushed towards Sivanandham, as if to assault him, but were restrained.

Hearing the commotion, Karunanidhi, Stalin and Mani rushed back to the house to pacify the agitated members.

Urging the ministers and ruling party legislators to assist in maintaining peace in the house, Karunanidhi requested the speaker to expunge the statement of Sivanandham and the subsequent exchanges between the members from the assembly records.

After going through the speeches, a decision could be taken the next day on their inclusion in the records, he said.

Agreeing with him, the speaker expunged the relevant portions.