CHENNAI: When DMK MLA A C Vilwanathan wanted to know whether the Tamil Nadu govt would establish a sports stadium for the Puratchi Thalaivar MGR Govt Arts and Science College at Madhanur in Vellore district, he expected a yes or no reply or just a reply in a few words. But higher education minister P Viswanathan on Tuesday turned it into a lengthy reply speaking even about other colleges in the district without coming to the point, making it a laughter-filled episode and prompting leader of opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin to say jokingly that MLAs may think twice before asking the minister questions in future.Viswanathan, known in assembly circles as “Kavignar” for his penchant for repetition and elaborate speeches, spoke about the number of colleges in Vellore, their classification as govt and govt-aided institutions, and went on to list them.As the answer drifted further from the question, speaker J C D Prabhakar stepped in and asked the minister to be precise. But Viswanathan continued in his own style, prompting opposition members to repeatedly ask, amid laughter, whether the govt would build the stadium or not. Even members on the treasury benches struggled to contain their laughter.After the speaker intervened again, Viswanathan clarified that Vilwanathan was seeking an integrated sports stadium and not merely an open playground. As he attempted to elaborate further, the opposition benches resumed their good-natured ribbing.“What is the problem, sir? You are not allowing me to say anything. Then what am I supposed to do?” the minister protested, drawing another round of laughter.He eventually said the proposal would be discussed with the PWD department.The laughter peaked when Udhayanidhi rose and remarked that the minister’s style of answering appeared to carry a message for other MLAs: “Don’t rush to ask me questions; think twice before doing so”.Viswanathan joined the laughter as ministers and MLAs burst out laughing.When Vilwanathan rose to ask a supplementary question, MLAs seated in the front and side rows jokingly folded their hands and pleaded with him not to ask the minister anything more.The PWD minister finally brought the episode to a close by assuring the House that efforts would be made to build the stadium.It may be recalled that former minister K N Nehru had expressed his anguish over Viswanathan’s habit last week. “He may be a poet, but he cannot repeat everything twice. Already, the assembly session is stretched for long hours,” Nehru had said.
