DMK, allies walkout from Tamil Nadu Assembly over Sterlite dispute

The DMK and its allies Tuesday staged a walkout from the Assembly over the Sterlite issue with Chief Minister K Palaniswami blaming the opposition for trooping out by coming up with some reason. Stalin said his party's demand for a policy decision by convening the Cabinet to ensure permanent closure of Sterlite copper plant did not find a find a mention in the Chief Minister's reply to the debate on the Governor's Address and to condemn it, DMK was staging a walkout.

DMK's allies, Congress party members and Indian Union Muslim League MLA, followed suit. After the walkout, Palaniswami said the Supreme Court Tuesday has only ordered notice to Sterlite on Tamil Nadu's petition against the National Green Tribunal verdict of December 15, 2018, that struck down the closure order of the copper plant. "Only on the basis of a final verdict (by the apex court) could the government consider further appropriate steps," he said apparently indicating that whether or not take a policy decision will be considered only after the top court's ruling.

The Madras High Court's Madurai Bench had already ordered status quo (which meant continuation of the plant's closure) on a plea by Anti-Sterlite Movement's Fatima Babu, the Chief Minister noted. Palaniswami said though he was replying to the Leader of Opposition on his query on Sterlite issue he has walked out. "When he (Stalin) came to the House, he had decided to stage a walkout by making one excuse or the other and he has walked out by showing this (Sterlite issue) as the reason."

Earlier during 'Zero Hour' too, when Stalin raised the same issue, Electricity Minister P Thangamani indicated that the government was in favour of keeping the Sterlite unit closed. The apex court earlier Tuesday refused to stay the National Green Tribunal's order of setting aside the Tamil Nadu government's decision to close Vedanta's Sterlite copper plant at Tuticorin. Thangamani said the government has not received a copy of the SC order, but said the government was prepared to even go for a review petition as may be required. "Your (Opposition) view is our view," he said, indicating the government's stand that it was not in favour of re-opening the plant.

(With inputs from agencies.)