The no-confidence motion filed by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) against Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M Appavu failed on Monday. The resolution was rejected after a voice vote, with 62 members supporting it and 154 opposing it.
AIADMK had moved the resolution accusing Speaker Appavu of bias and claiming he was acting more like a member of the ruling DMK than an impartial Speaker. AIADMK’s General Secretary and opposition leader, Edapadi Palaniswami, called for a division on the vote, but the motion was ultimately defeated.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin dismissed the motion, asserting that the people would “laugh” at the attempt to discredit the Speaker. He praised Appavu for his impartiality, emphasizing that the Speaker has always acted without bias or influence from the government or any political party. Stalin further stated that such resolutions are brought forth only when the opposition has no other means to challenge the government’s actions.
Earlier, Stalin also clarified a controversy regarding the Tamil Nadu Assembly’s budget logo, which included the ‘RU’ symbol. He explained that it was meant to reflect the state’s commitment to the Tamil language policy, but some critics, who he claimed do not appreciate Tamil, had made an issue out of it. Stalin also highlighted the state’s unmet demands for disaster funds and educational financial support from the Union government, criticizing Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for focusing on the rupee symbol instead.
