Tamil Nadu Speaker says no rule to stand for CM

Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J C D Prabhakar ruled on August 17 that MLAs are not required to stand when the Chief Minister or the Leader of the Opposition enters the House. He said showing respect is part of Tamil culture, but it is not compulsory and he will not force anyone. The decision was met with a fierce debate in the Assembly.

The issue arose after Minister S Ramesh said LoP Udhayanidhi Stalin should be taught "dignity" for not standing when CM C Joseph Vijay arrived. Former CM O Panneerselvam pointed out that only the Speaker receives a standing ovation by tradition. He also asked whether the same courtesy would be extended to the Leader of the Opposition.

Deccan Herald reported that Speaker Prabhakar said there is no rule mandating members to rise. The Hindu quoted him saying it is up to individual MLAs to decide. The Speaker also recalled that former CM Edappadi K Palaniswami used to stand and greet the CM.

Panneerselvam noted that the practice of going around to greet members is new. He urged the Speaker to decide on departing from the tradition of standing only for the Speaker.