The opposition AIADMK members staged a walkout in the Puducherry Assembly in India yesterday protesting against the chair`s refusal to admit a private member resolution seeking economic sanctions against Sri Lanka.

When AIADMK floor leader A Anbazhagan rose to speak on the demands for grants, he sought clarification from the Speaker V Sabapathy on whether the notice given by him for a private member resolution, urging the Centre to take action for imposing economic sanctions against the island nation and pressure the country into giving equal status and dignity to Tamils, would be taken up.

Anbazhagan cited that such a resolution was adopted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly with the support of all the parties.

However, the Speaker advised him to speak on the demands, but he kept insisting on a clarification and refused to go ahead with speaking on the demands. Anbazhagan said that earlier he had given notice on calling attention motion as well as adjournment motion, but it was not taken up.

Following this, Speaker said the matter was being examined and again told him to speak on demands. However, Anbazhagan was insistent and said that being the last day of the budget session, the Speaker would conclude after passing the demand for grants, without replying to him.

He also said he was surprised that Chief Minister N Rangasamy was not present in the House as he was making the plea for a resolution. Anbazhagan added that the CM had left the house intentionally a few minutes prior to his turn for speaking on demands. The Speaker finally told the member that there was no listing of any resolutions for adoption or discussion in the list of business for the day.

Anbalagan then said that the Puducherry government was not concerned about the plight of the Tamils in Sri Lanka. It had been the convention that on the last day of every session the Assembly adopted government or private member resolutions, but this time it was violated, he said.

Protesting against Speaker`s refusal to allow him to move the private member resolution, the AIADMK members staged a walkout. Though the Speaker called the AIADMK members back for speaking on the demands they did not return. However, they came to the house when the voting on the demand for grants and Appropriation Bills was taken up, Express News Service reported.