DMK vows free food in hospitals; speaker elected

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu state assembly on Tuesday elected Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MLAS M Appavu as its Speaker and K Pichandi as Deputy Speaker.

The unopposed choices came as newlyelected members of the 16th legislature met for their oath-taking at the Kalaivanar Arangam in the city.

Appavu was elected from Radhapuram in southern Tirunelveli district, and Pichandi from Keezhpennathur in Tiruvannamalai district. Assembly Secretary K Srinivasan announced that there were no nominations to contest them.

Chief Minister MK Stalin, former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswamy and other legislators took oath in the morning.

Stalin was the first to take the oath. Pro-term speaker K Pichandi administered oath to him.

Near the speaker’s podium, a table was put up for taking the oath.

In the table, copies of Bhagavad Gita, Bible, Holy Quran, Constitution of India and Thirukkural were placed as a customary practice. Members were given the choice of taking the oath either in the name of God or by affirming solemnly as given in the form.

Stalin in his address to the House said: “As the second wave of corona epidemic has hit the entire Indian Union, we have all realised that its impact is severe in Tamil Nadu as well. The primary task of the government is to protect the people from this disaster.” “The curfew has been put in place to control the spread of the disease and they are being given Rs2,000 per family card to cope with the economic crisis during the blockade. Efforts are being made on a wartime basis to ensure uninterrupted supply of oxygen, bedding and medicine to the infected.” “The government under my leadership is working with full commitment to bring the situation under control and avoid any crisis for the people.” “Government officials, frontline staff, doctors, nurses, all hospital staff, cleaners, police, media and the press are working tirelessly to protect people from corona infection.” “Social welfare activists, welfare organisations, industry and others from various walks of life have been supporting the efforts of the Government of Tamil Nadu.” “Those in charge of the Sixteenth Legislative Assembly have a duty and responsibility to work without party affiliation with a consensus in safeguarding the interests of the people, even if they have won the election in different coalitions and as partisans of different parties.” BJP state president L Murugan announced on Tuesday that the four party MLAS who entered the Assembly ater a gap of two decades have been gited an Innova car each.