Appavu is soft spoken but strict: CM Stalin

Chennai:Assembly Speaker M Appavu was both congenial and strict as both the traits were essential to conduct the proceedings of the House with discipline and dignity, Chief Minister M K Stalin said while speaking on the no- confidence motion moved by the AIADMK seeking the removal of Appavu from the Speaker’s post alleging partiality. If one were to compare Appavu’s style of functioning with that of some of the previous Speakers of the House in the earlier regime, everyone would accept that he was more amenable and impartial, Stalin said and added that the resolution was moved by some AIADMK members citing reasons that were far from truth making it imperative for him and other ruling members to prove Appavu’s innocence. He said that Appavu never heeded to the opposition demand for long Assembly sessions at the Business Advisory Committee meetings and truncated them as per the wishes of the ruling party and when the AIADMK elected R B Udhayakumar as the deputy Leader of the Opposition in 2022, it took two years for the Speaker to accept it and make necessary changes in seating in the House. Appavu, who returned to his Chair after the no-confidence motion against him was defeated with Deputy Speaker K Pichandi presiding over the proceedings, said that he had given 12 hours and 26 minutes for the members of the opposition to speak during the debate on the Governor’s address while the ruling party members were given only six hours and 33 minutes.