CHENNAI: Amid the hectic activity that kept the Tamil Nadu Secretariat abuzz on Thursday, the group that was conspicuous by its absence was the 18 MLAs supporting ousted AIADMK deputy general secretary TTV Dhinakaran.
While Assembly officials remained tight-lipped about the course of action, the buzz was that the disqualification order was ready and could be sent to the government press any time. Though it would lead to by-elections in those 18 constituencies in the normal course, some speculate the disqualification could be repealed after the trust vote is won.
Despite Speaker P Dhanapal directing the MLAs to appear before him during the day, a counsel appeared instead and said they would present themselves only if the Karnataka police provided them protection, as they have been facing problems from the Tamil Nadu police for a few days.
“The MLAs have not betrayed the party or left it. They met the Governor on the directions given by the party leadership on August 21. During the hearing before the Speaker, a document from the Chief Minister was shown to them and we questioned how the Chief Minister got hold of it. If the Speaker’s office provides the documents we are seeking, we will appear before him the next day,” counsel Raja Sendurpandian told mediapersons at the Secretariat.
When this was put forth to the Speaker, the latter sought a written requisition, the counsel added. Asked why the MLAs failed to appear before the Speaker as directed, the counsel said, “We have sought certain documents from the Speaker. Only after those are furnished, personal hearing will be held. It will happen only in the final stage.”
Questioned about the argument that institutions like the court could not interfere in the Speaker’s powers, the counsel said it depended on the case. “One of the basic reasons quoted for possible disqualification of the MLAs who met the Governor was that they met the press after meeting the Governor,” he added.
The day was marked by a series of meetings between the Speaker, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Law Minister, Advocate-General and other officials. In the morning, the Chief Minister went into a huddle with senior ministers for some time.
Meanwhile, Congress legislature party leader KR Ramaswamy chaired a meeting of party MLAs at the Secretariat. He told mediapersons that the present government had lost its right to continue in power after ignoring the welfare of the people on all fronts. He said the Governor should convene the Assembly and direct the Chief Minister to prove his majority in the House.
Rebel MPs file petition against ouster of Sasikala
Three MPs of the TTV Dhinakaran faction on Thursday filed a petition before the EC against the ouster of VK Sasikala during the AIADMK GC meeting on Sept 12 and contended that the meeting was invalid. One of these MPs told Express the petition was filed by Dhinakaran on behalf of Sasikala. They added party bylaws etc., and requested the EC not to take any decision if the other faction filed any petition to redeem the Two Leaves symbol and approve the new posts - convenor and joint convenor