Opposition chorus for floor test

The demand by the opposition parties like the DMK, PMK, VCK and others came in the wake of 19 MLAs of the ruling party submitting letters to the Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, expressing lack of confidence and withdrawing their support to the government. 

Political parties like Pattali Makkal Katchi and VCK have demanded the government to prove its majority by conducting a floor test. Anbumani Ramadoss, sitting MP of the PMK, in a statement, said, “Since 19 MLAs from Dinakaran’s faction have submitted a letter to the Governor stating that they withdraw their support to the ruling party, the EPS-led government has lost its majority.” 

Stating that O Panneerselvam group, which criticised EPS government earlier, has now joined the present government, Anbumani said, “It is still not clear as to how many MLAs from OPS group have rejoined with the government.”

“As the state is in a political turmoil, the Governor should urge the Chief Minister to convene the Assembly session within three days and prove his majority,” Anbumani said. He further urged the Centre to appoint a permanent Governor for the state. 

Similarly, VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan has stressed for a floor test as soon as possible. “The BJP has been remote-controlling the state and it is a clear fact that the BJP was behind the merger. Using this political turmoil, the BJP has been trying to gain a foothold in the state,” he said and stressed that the government should immediately convene an Assembly session to prove its majority. 

Hitting out at the state government, G Ramakrishnan, secretary, CPM, said, “The government is not focusing on the welfare of the people. All the ruling party MLAs are competing for power and Dinakaran is playing a bargaining game.” He demanded the government to avoid any political turmoil and shift the focus on administration.