The conduct of Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M. Appavu has come under intense scrutiny after a series of viral video clips on social media showed him repeatedly interrupting opposition MLAs, answering questions on behalf of ministers, and allegedly stifling debate in the House.
In multiple clips stitched together and circulated widely, Speaker Appavu appears to be actively intervening during the Question Hour, frequently cutting off members mid-sentence and discouraging them from elaborating on issues concerning their constituencies.
Speaker Turns Spokesperson?
In one instance, when an MLA attempted to raise an issue related to the power sector, Appavu interjected before the member could complete his question. “Please ask only your question, you will get the answer. You can ask the flood-related questions to the Water Minister. What do you want from the Electricity Department?” he said, while continuing to interrupt the member and not allowing him to complete his statement.
In another clip, a member raising concerns about sewage maintenance was repeatedly interrupted by the Speaker. Similarly, a question on public transportation was met with the same treatment.
A particularly contentious exchange occurred when ADMK MLA Amman Arjunan tried to raise a point. Before he could even finish a sentence, Appavu rebuked him sharply, “Amman Arjunan, you are not the only ADMK MLA, there are 66 members. I cannot give additional questions to all 66 of you. Do not threaten by sitting there. It is my wish. Sit down.”
Another video shows a woman MLA attempting to highlight the issue of slow broadband connectivity in hilly areas. Before she could elaborate, the Speaker cut her off, saying dismissively, “You want broadband only, right?”
In a separate incident, when an MLA began describing how people were migrating from his constituency to Tirupur and Erode for work, Appavu interrupted him, “What do you want – livelihood or water? Please ask the question properly.” When the MLA justified that the context was necessary, Appavu candidly admitted, “If you ask in one word, they will reject. If you elaborate, I will reject.”
Yet another clip captures a member mentioning a Coimbatore-related matter when the bell rang. Appavu jumped in, interpreting the query on his own and concluding, “Everyone knows about the jobs and industries in Coimbatore. Finish your statement.”
1. அப்பாவு – மின்துறை அமைச்சர்
2. அப்பாவு – நகராட்சி நிர்வாக அமைச்சர்3. அப்பாவு – போக்குவரத்து அமைச்சர்
4. அப்பாவு – சபாநாயகர்
5. அப்பாவு – கூட்டுறவுத்துறை அமைச்சர்
6. அப்பாவு – நீர்வள அமைச்சர்
7. அப்பாவு – தொழிற்துறை அமைச்சர்
அமைச்சர்களுக்கு பதிலாக @AppavuSpeaker அவர்களே… pic.twitter.com/vXdT8ilZz9
— Singai G Ramachandran (@RamaAIADMK) April 6, 2025
Opposition Denied Floor, Broadcast Cut
Criticism of the Speaker’s style has intensified in recent months, especially after multiple opposition attempts to raise law and order issues were shut down. A few days ago, AIADMK members staged a walkout after Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami was not allowed to raise a law and order matter. Appavu rejected a prior notice from AIADMK Deputy Leader R. B. Udayakumar and declined to hear Palaniswami.
Further controversy erupted in March 2025, when all AIADMK MLAs were evicted en masse from the Assembly after a dramatic protest. The disruption began when Palaniswami once again sought to raise an issue post-Question Hour. The Speaker, reiterating that prior permission had not been granted, refused to yield the floor.
The situation escalated when Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin rose to speak, prompting protests from AIADMK members. Despite repeated warnings from the Chair, the opposition persisted, leading Appavu to summon marshals and have them removed from the House.
Opposition Cries Foul, Demands Accountability
Opposition leaders have slammed the Speaker’s conduct, accusing him of partisanship and suppressing dissent. AIADMK members have alleged that live broadcasts are cut off when the Opposition Leader speaks, and that the Speaker frequently assumes the role of ministers by responding to questions himself.
The Assembly is a temple of democracy, and it appears that the Speaker is turning it into a platform for one-sided monologues. Opposition members argue that it was impossible to function effectively when the Speaker acted more like a ruling party whip than a neutral chair.
Political observers noted that by repeatedly overriding MLAs and responding in place of ministers, the Speaker was undermining the purpose of legislative debate.
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