HIGHLIGHTS: Big victory for EPS-OPS government, HC upholds disqualification of MLAs

By-elections likely to follow in all the seats that would be vacant and it would be a test for the AIADMK government.

The Madras High Court has upheld the June 14 order of the then Chief Justice disqualifying 18 rebel AIADMK MLAs, in a huge relief to the K Palaniswami government. Justice M Satyanarayana, who pronounced the verdict, was the third judge appointed by the Supreme Court after the High Court bench gave a split verdict on June 14.

The 18 MLAs were disqualified from the party for owing allegiance to former rebel leader TTV Dinakaran after they submitted a letter erstwhile Governor C H Vidyasagar Rao, expressing no confidence in chief Minister Palaniswami.

Since the HC has upheld the disqualification, bye-elections will be held on all the seats that would be vacant and it would be a test for the AIADMK government.

DMK Chief MK Stalin says his party is ready for bypolls

Democracy must be safeguarded. Already two assembly constituencies are vacant, now with Madras HC verdict, 18 seats have fallen vacant. Therefore, EC should take steps immediately to fill them: DMK Chief MK Stalin on Madras HC upholds disqualification of 18 rebel AIADMK MLAs. pic.twitter.com/qPxlCjqxIl

— ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2018

CM Palaniswami reacts to HC's verdict, says ready to face bypoll

TN CM EPS reacts to the HC verdict upholding disqualification of 18 MLAs: "We are ready to face the by-poll for the 18 Assembly constituencies. Election Commission will decide the date of by-election. AIADMK will all the seats in the by-election." @NewIndianXpress

— T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) October 25, 2018

CM Palaniswami visits AIADMK headquarters

Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami visits AIADMK headquarters; Deputy CM OPS receives him with a bouquet; ministers and party functionaries greet him over the Madras HC verdict upholding the disqualification of 18 MLA.

Challenge HC verdict or face bye-elections: Counsel for disqualified MLAs

Raja Senthoor Pandian, counsel for 18 disqualified MLAs: "There are 3 options for us: To challenge HC verdict before SC; Or face by-elections Or facing by-elections while moving the SC. Our legal battle will continue as per the decision of the disqualified MLAs @NewIndianXpress

— T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) October 25, 2018

Uncertainty for continuance of the present government over: BJP State president Tamilisai

BJP State president Tamilisai Soundararajan on HC verdict : "The HC verdict is on the expected lines. This verdict has reduced the uncertainty over the continuance of the present government."

CPM leader K Balakrishnan reacts to the High Court verdict

CPM State secretary K Balakrishnan reacts : "We suspect that there is a link between the postponement of by-poll notification for Tirupparankundram and Tiruvarur Assembly constituencies and the HC verdict upholding the disqualification of 18 MLAs." @NewIndianXpress

— T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) October 25, 2018

Justice Satyanarayana says he wrote an independent judgement without taking sides

The third judge, Justice Satyanarayana, said he has written an independent judgment. Not sided with any of the two divergent verdicts of the previous bench.

VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan expresses shock over HC verdict

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi president Thol Thirumavalavan expresses shock at the HC verdict; it is against the democratic norms : If the disqualified MLAs challege this verdict in SC, they will get justice.

TTV Dhinakaran: Will decide in day or two whether to challenge the verdict

Asked about Thanga Thamizh Selvan's view that the disqualified MLAs would not challenge the HC verdict, TTV Dhinakaran says "It is his views. We will take final decision on whether to challenge the verdict or face the by-election in a day or two." @NewIndianXpress

— T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) October 25, 2018

20 out of 214 seats now vacant in Tamil Nadu Assembly

With the HC verdict, 20 MLA constituencies are vacant in TN.Two other vacant seats are due to demise of M Karunanidhi and AIADMK MLA Bose. HC also removed the interim stay on holding elections in these 18 MLA constituencies.

TTV Dhinakaran reacts to the High Court's verdict, says will decide next move after consulting with 18 MLAs

"Not a set back. It's only an experience for me. We will discuss with the 18 disqualified MLAs and take a decision on appealing against the HC verdict or prepare to face the bypolls in these 18 MLA constituencies," says AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran.

Here's the list of all the disqualified AIADMK MLAs:

1. Thanga Tamilselvan (Andipatti)
   
2. R. Murugan (Harur)
   
3. Cho. Mariappan Kennedy (Manamadurai)
4. Dr. K. Kathikamu (Periyakulam)
   
5. C. Jayanthi Padmanabhan (Gudiyattam)
   
6. P. Palaniappan (Pappireddipatti)
   
7. V. Senthil Balaji (Aravakurichi)
   
8. Dr. S. Muthiah (Paramakudi)
   
9. P. Vetrivel (Perambur)
   
10. N.G. Parthiban (Sholingar)
    
11. M. Kothandapani (Thiruporur)
    
12. T.A. Elumalai (Poonamallee)
    
13. M. Rengasamy (Thanjavur)
    
14. R. Thangadurai (Nilakottai)
    
15. R. Balasubramani (Ambur)
    
16. 'Ethirkottai' S.G. Subramanian (Sattur)
    
17. R. Sundararaj (Ottapidaram)

Law Minister reacts to verdict says 'Court has taught lesson to betrayers'

Law Minister CVe Shamugam reacts to the HC verdict on disqualification case : "The court has taught a lesson to the betrayers." @NewIndianXpress

— T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) October 25, 2018

Here's the list of all the disqualified AIADMK MLAs

 List of disqualified 18 AIADMK MLAs:

Thanga Tamilselvan (Andipatti)

R. Murugan (Harur)

Cho. Mariappan Kennedy (Manamadurai)

Dr. K. Kathikamu (Periyakulam)

C. Jayanthi Padmanabhan (Gudiyattam)

P. Palaniappan (Pappireddipatti)

V. Senthil Balaji (Aravakurichi)

Dr. S. Muthiah (Paramakudi)

P. Vetrivel (Perambur)

N.G. Parthiban (Sholingar)

M. Kothandapani (Thiruporur)

T.A. Elumalai (Poonamallee)

M. Rengasamy (Thanjavur)

R. Thangadurai (Nilakottai)

R. Balasubramani (Ambur)

'Ethirkottai' S.G. Subramanian (Sattur)

R. Sundararaj (Ottapidaram)

Justice Satyanarayana upholds the disqualification of 18 MLAs

Third judge Satyanarayana upholds the disqualification of 18 MLAs @NewIndianXpress

— T Muruganandham (@muruga_TNIE) October 25, 2018

18 MLAs' disqualification case: A Timeline

2017 February 15, 2017: VK Sasikala, AIADMK interim general secretary, after she was sentenced to four years term in disproportionate wealth case, appoints her nephew, T T V Dhinakaran as AIADMK deputy general secretary.

February 16: Edappadi K Palaniswami sworn in as chief minister August 21: AIADMK factions led by Palaniswami, O Panneerselvam merge. 

August 22: Nineteen MLAs supporting Dhinakaran, withdraw their support to Palaniswami and meet governor in this regard.

 August 24:  AIADMK Whip lodges a complaint with Speaker seeking action against the 19 MLAs who had submitted letter to the governor withdrawing their support to Palaniswami. Following this, Speaker issues notice to 19 MLAs seeking explanation September 7 - STK Jakkaiyan, one of the 19 MLAs who extended support to Dhinakaran, says he would support Palaniswami.

September 18: Speaker disqualifies 18 MLAs.

September 19: Disqualified MLAs challenge Speaker's order before Madras HC 2018.

January 23: All parties to the disqualification case complete their oral and written submissions and the judgment was reserved.

June 14  HC Bench gives a split verdict and says the case will be transferred to a third judge.

TN law minister meets CM Palaniswami at his residence ahead of the verdict

Tamil Nadu law minister CV Shanmugam today met CM Palaniswami at this residence minutes before the hearing on the disqualification of the 18 MLAs. 

Dinakaran asks 17 MLAs to move to a resort till verdict pronounced

Upon Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) chief TTV Dinakaran's instruction all disqualified MLAs, barring P Vetrivel reach Courtallam resort in Tirunelveli district. They have been instructed to stay there till the verdict comes out.