Chennai: The main opposition party DMK walked out from the Assembly today after Speaker P Dhanapal denied permission for a discussion on the suspected bribe given to a Minister and top police officials by gutkha dealers.

Opposition Leader MK Stalin later tolde mediapersons that Rs 40 crore has been given to a Minister and a few top officials to allow the illegal sales of gutkha in the State and demanded removal of the minister.

“We demand strict action from the Chief Minister against the Minister and corrupt officials,” he said. Persons involved in the act were playing with the lives of people, he added.

Before the walkout, the DMK legislators were seen holding newspaper clippings carrying reports of the alleged bribery.

The walkout decision was taken after the Speaker warned the Opposition party that its members would be evicted if they did not co-operate with the House proceedings. The Congress and the IUML legislators also joined the walkout.

The DMK also raised the issue of GST affecting the cracker and match stick business. Finance Minister D Jayakumar said the issue had already been taken up with Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who promised to review it.

“It is only the GST Council that can levy or make changes in the tax henceforth. It comprises all the State Finance Ministers. On behalf of our State we will put utmost pressure to ensure that close to 10,000,00 employees are not affected by the new taxes,” he added.

The issue of the Sri Lankan Navy recently arresting eight fishermen and capturing their boats was also raised. Jayakumar, who also holds the Fisheries portfolio, said Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had written to the Prime Minister and condemned the arrest.