Seat arrangement row: Permission denied for EPS-led hunger strike

CHENNAI: Permission to stage a hunger strike by the AIADMK condemning Speaker Appavu did not get approval from the State police department a day after the party's legislators were evicted following their demand of recognising RB Udhayakumar as the deputy Leader of Opposition (LoP).

AIADMK led by Edappadi K Palaniswami aired discontent over seating arrangements as the expelled leader O Panneerselvam was given a seat next to EPS. The party leaders created ruckus over alloting a seat to the 'renegade' leader next to Palaniswami despite submitting a petition to the Speaker.

EPS called the act of the Speaker “murder of democracy” and announced a hunger protest against the ruling DMK today in Valluvar Kottam.

Despite being denied permission, police would be stationed nearby Valluvar Kottam as AIADMK could conduct strike breaching the denial.