October 25, 2018:

On Thursday, in a shot in the arm for the troubled Edappadi Palaniswami Government, Madras High Court upheld the disqualification of 18 MLAs owing allegiance to rebel AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, who had floated his own outfit Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam.

Closing the curtains on more-than-a-year long legal battle, which witnessed a split verdict, Justice M Sathyanarayanan, the third judge appointed by the Supreme Court to hear & decide on the matter, pronounced the verdict in a packed Court hall, bringing jubilation to the Chief Minister’s camp.

Tamil Nadu assembly speaker P Dhanapal had disqualified the 18 legislators under the Anti-Defection Law on September 18, 2017.

This was seen as a pre-emptive move to stymie any attempt by Dhinakaran, Sasikala’s nephew & the Mannargudi strongman, to dislodge the Government & taking over the reins of the State Government.

Dhinakaran had hoped that Palaniswami who was once his loyalist, would step down & pave the way for his coronation.

It was Dhinakaran only who had forced O Panneerselvam out of the CM’s Office & installed Palaniswami as Chief Minister following the death of former AIADMK supremo & ex-CM J Jayalalithaa.

A reluctant Palaniswami did a volte face & joined his hands with Panneerselvam. While continuing to occupy the CM’s post, him and Panneerselvam ousted Sasikala & Dhinakaran from the AIADMK.

Dhinakaran then was accompanied by the 18 MLAs, approached the then Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao with a petition, expressing lack of confidence in the Chief Minister & seeking a change of guard.

With the Governor sitting on the petition, the Palaniswami Government came to action & the speaker disqualified all the 18 legislators for “voluntarily giving up their memberships” of AIADMK.

High Court verdict maintains the status quo of Palaniswami Government since the majority needed is 108 in the now-reduced 215-member House, & the ruling faction enjoys the support of 109 MLAs (excluding the speaker).

Disqualified MLAs could now move to the Supreme Court against the Judgement & the state could have by polls in their constituencies.

Dhinakaran in reaction to the Verdict said that a decision on challenging the judgment would be taken after consultation with the MLAs.

He said,“It is not a setback for us. This is an experience, we will face the situation.”

He had gotten the 18 MLAs shifted to a resort in Tirunelveli district fearing poaching by the ruling faction.

Chief Minister Palaniswami earlier cancelled all his morning programmes & held a meeting with Law Minister C Ve Shanmugam & other senior ministers over the case.

Source: HT

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