REVIEW - Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly - Tamil Nadu Government

1991-96 Thiru R. Muthiah (from 3rd
July 1991 to 21st May 1996).
1996-2001 Thiru P.T.R. Palanivel Rajan,
(from 23rd May 1996 to 21st
May 2001).
(v) Panel of Chairmen
46 47
Prof. K. Ponnusamy (from 3rd July
1991 to 16th May 1993).
Thiru S. Gandhirajan (From 27th
October, 1993 to 13th May 1996).
Thiru Parithi Ellamvazhuthi (from 23rd
May 1996 to 14th May 2001)
Rule 9 of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Rules provides that at the
commencement of every session or from time to time as the case may be, the
Speaker may nominate from amongst the members of the Assembly, a panel of
not more than six Chairmen, any one of whom may preside over the Assembly
in the absence of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker when so required by the
Speaker or in his absence by the Deputy Speaker or in his absence also by the
Chairman presiding.
A list of Members of the Assembly who were nominated to the Panel of
Chairmen during the period under Review is given in Section II-Table No.VII
(vide page No. 466)
CHAPTER VII
LEADER OF THE HOUSE, LEADER OF OPPOSITION AND
CHIEF GOVERNMENT WHIP
(1) LEADER OF THE HOUSE.
A Minister will be appointed by the Government as the Leader of the House.
Rules of Procedure provides that the Speaker shall consult the Leader of the
House for allotting time for discussion of certain items of business. The
arrangement of Government Business is his ultimate responsibility. His foremost
duty is to assist the Speaker in the conduct of the business.
Hon. prof. K. Anbazhagan, was appointed as the Leader of the House on
13th may 1996 and he continued as such throughout the term of the Assembly.
(2) LEADER OF OPPOSITION.
Party system is an Integral Part of the Parliamentary form of Government. In
this system, there is always a party in power and a party or parties in Opposition.
Party which has the largest strength in the Assembly among the Opposition
Parties is recognised as the main Opposition party. The Leader of the largest
recognised Opposition Party is recognised as the Leader of Opposition.
Under the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Rules, the term ‘Leader of
Opposition’ has been defined as Leader of Legislature Party having the largest
number of members other than the party which formed the Government and
having more than the quorum strength prescribed and recognised as such by the
Speaker. He is given salary and certain other facilities and amenities under the
Tamil Nadu Payment of Salaries Act, 1951 as amended from time to time.
Thiru S. Balakrishnan, Leader of the Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar)
Legislature Party which had the largest number of members among the opposition
parties was recognised as the Leader of Opposition by the Speaker on the 23rd
May, 1996 and he continued as such during the period.