In a surprising turn of events, deputy chief-minister and AIADMK convener O. Panneerselvam has wished DMK president M. Karunanidhi a speedy recovery from his illness and hoped to see the veteran leader attending the Legislative Assembly soon.

The pre-budget session of the Assembly commenced last this Monday and concluded as a short, five-day session yesterday.  Governor Banwarilal Purohit’s inaugural address was boycotted by the DMK and Congress MLA who also opted out of voting held yesterday to pass a Bill relating to hike in salaries of MLAs.  The Bill, which increased the salaries by more than 100%, was eventually cleared by the Assembly.

Speaking after the House passed another Bill wherein people could elect Mayors and presidents of Corporations and Municipalities on their own, deputy chief-minister O. Panneerselvam wished DMK’s nonagenarian chief Karunanidhi a speedy recovery from his illness.  “I want him to take part in the Assembly proceedings very soon,” OPS said, thus surprising his party MLAs as well as the Opposition ranks.

Political observers point out that the deputy chief-minister wishing the AIADMK’s arch rival a speedy recovery augurs well for a healthy trend in the State’s politics where opposition party leaders rarely greet each other even when they come across each other in public, which is totally in contrast with the practice prevailing in the North.