AIADMK whip wants 19 MLAs disqualified, TTV camp calls it an ‘open threat’

TNM has learnt that Edappadi Palanisamy was trying to call the General Council meeting soon to ensure that Sasikala is expelled from the party.
AIADMK whip wants 19 MLAs disqualified, TTV camp calls it an ‘open threat’
AIADMK whip wants 19 MLAs disqualified, TTV camp calls it an ‘open threat’
Written by:

In the latest episode of political drama in Tamil Nadu, the chief whip of the AIADMK party in the assembly S Rajendran has asked Tamil Nadu Speaker Dhanapal to take action against 19 MLAs of the TTV Dhinakaran. Rajendran wants action against the MLAs for going against the party and meeting the Governor without informing the party.

He called for the disqualification of these MLAs immediately.

“I have recommended action against 19 MLAs to speaker according to the 10th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. 19 MLAs did not inform me that they are meeting governor. They have acted against interest of the party and have taken decision in their individual capacity. Only speaker has power to take action. I can only recommend," Rajendran told reporters.

TTV Dhinakaran’s side however called this an ‘open threat’. “This is nothing but an open threat. The whip wants to threaten MLAs who have letter to the Governor. We never spoke against the party, we only asked the Governor to remove Edappadi Palanisamy,” MLA Vetrivel from the TTV Dhinakaran faction said.

How will Speaker’s action impact assembly?

If the Speaker disqualifies these MLAs, it would bring down the number in the assembly, which in turn would mean that the unified OPS-EPS combine of the AIADMK will enjoy simple majority in case a floor test is held.

The 19 MLAs had met Governor Vidyasagar Rao on Tuesday and submitted individual petitions expressing “no confidence” on CM Edappadi Palaniswami.

Before Rajendran’s statement, Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami called for an urgent meeting with his ministers in Chennai on Thursday as the threat of a trust vote looms large with all opposition parties asking the Governor to call a floor test.

TNM has learnt that Edappadi Palanisamy and O Panneerselvam were trying to call the General Council meeting soon to ensure that Sasikala is expelled from the party. They believe that once Sasikala is expelled from party, MLAs who are with TTV Dhinakaran will come back to their side.

Meanwhile, TTV Dhinakaran camp says that only a General Secretary can convene the General Council. They have repeatedly said that they will not allow the General Council to be convened.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The News Minute
www.thenewsminute.com