Plea in Madras HC seeks disqualification of 3 AIADMK rebel MLAs

CHENNAI: Desiya Makkal Sakthi Katchi president ML Ravi has moved the Madras High Court, challenging the acceptance of the resignations of three All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) legislators who joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) while facing pending anti-defection proceedings and sought a direction to the Speaker to decide the disqualification petitions.

The petition noted that after winning 108 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, TVK emerged as the single largest party but fell short of the 118-seat majority mark. It stated that TVK formed the government following discussions with other political parties.

He further submitted that AIADMK split into two factions, with the CV Shanmugham-led group supporting the TVK government during the confidence motion, while the faction headed by its General Secretary, Edappadi K Palaniswami, voted against the ruling party. Subsequently, the EPS-led faction filed petitions before the Speaker seeking action under the Tenth Schedule against members of the rival faction.

According to the petitioner, AIADMK MLAs Maragatham Kumaravel (Madurantakam), KS Jayakumar (Perundurai) and P Sathyabama (Dharapuram) later resigned from the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and joined the ruling TVK.

He contended that these three MLAs, against whom proceedings under the Tenth Schedule had already been initiated and were pending, tendered their resignations from the Assembly. The resignations were accepted by the Speaker and notified through Gazette notifications.

The petitioner raised the constitutional question of whether a legislator facing pending anti-defection proceedings under the Tenth Schedule could avoid the consequences of the anti-defection law by resigning from the Assembly, thereby rendering the mechanism ineffective.

He further submitted that repeated elections caused by defections and resignations place a substantial burden on the public exchequer and undermine electoral stability.

The plea thus sought to set aside the gazette notification and to direct the Speaker to adjudicate the pending disqualification proceedings.

The matter is expected to be listed for hearing shortly.