CHENNAI: A change in the seating of Congress legislature party leader Tharahai Cuthbert sparked a brief buzz in the Tamil Nadu assembly on Monday, coming amid strained ties between ruling TVK and its ally Congress over the issue of the prime ministerial candidate.Cuthbert, who had been seated with ruling party MLAs on the treasury benches since the assembly began functioning, moved to the opposition benches and took a seat beside PMK floor leader Sowmiya Anbumani.The shift did not go unnoticed. DMK whip E V Velu flagged the change, prompting speaker J C D Prabhakar to clarify that Cuthbert had been designated the Congress floor leader and was therefore allotted a seat in the front row alongside floor leaders of other parties. “The arrangement has been made following a representation from the concerned member,” the speaker said.Velu then used the opportunity to seek front-row seats for two “DMK legislators,” Prof M H Jawaharullah (Manithaneya Makkal Katchi ) and M Thamimun Ansari (Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi), currently seated in the back rows of the opposition benches. “Since they are seasoned members and articulate their points with facts, they can help the House function even more efficiently with their valuable inputs,” Velu said.Prabhakar, however, pointed out that the two had contested the assembly election on the DMK symbol and had consequently been allotted seats according to the party’s strength and seating arrangement. He nevertheless said he would consider Velu’s request and take appropriate action.Later, Cuthbert told reporters that her new seat was simply a consequence of her being chosen as the Congress floor leader. She dismissed speculation that the move had any political significance.
