DMK Does A Volte Face On Boycott Of Tamil Nadu Assembly, Returns To Floor Today

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has decided to end its boycott of Tamil Nadu assembly demanding the resignation of Chief Minister (CM) Edappadi K Palaniswami for the Thoothukudi police firing that led to death of 13 persons in Thoothukudi and return to the floor today (4 June.)

Tamil daily Dinamalar quoted DMK working president M K Stalin as saying that his party was returning to the Assembly following his alliance partners like Congress and Muslim League. “We are an opposition party and not an enemy organisation. All of us have to discharge our duty in response to the trust reposed in us by the people,” he said in the statement.

When the Assembly was convened on 29 June, DMK and its allies walked out saying they would boycott the entire session in protest against the police firing in Tuticorin. The next day, DMK and its allies held a mock session of the assembly at the party’s headquarters Arivalayam on Anna Salai. Since then, it planned to hold similar sessions in other parts of the state.

On the other hand, its allies like the Congress returned to the assembly saying they need to highlight various issues. Tamil Nadu Deputy CM O Panneerselvam, welcoming the change of heart among Congress and Muslim League, expressed hope that the DMK would change its stance too.

Political observers say that DMK’s volte face followed its allies decision to return to the assembly.