The enmity between the AIADMK and the DMK, Tamil Nadu’s two leading political parties, is unique and infamous. When on Wednesday Tamil Nadu Speaker Dhanapal called Chief Minister O Panneerselvam to present the State Budget, the DMK members walked out of the House claiming procedural lapses. The DMK’s heir apparent MK Stalin spoke in length about the financial crisis faced by the State and the indifference of the Centre to the needs of the State. Once he completed his speech, Panneerselvam, the Chief Minister, complimented and congratulated the DMK for taking part in the proceedings. Panneerselvam had reasons to extend such a cordiality as this was the first time the DMK was taking part in the house proceedings.
