AIADMK row goes to Madras High Court as plea filed for floor test

P Pugalenthi, an advocate, who moved the plea on Thursday submitted that the present Chief Minister who was sworn in on February 16, 2017 was directed by the Governor to seek a vote of confidence within fifteen days. In the floor test held on February 18, Palaniswami won the confidence of 122 MLAs. 

But on August 22, as many as 19 out of the 122 MLAs, withdrew their support and even addressed a letter to the Governor that they do not have confidence in the present Chief Minister. Besides the 19 MLAs, the opposition leader MK Stalin has also submitted a letter seeking the Governor to uphold the Constitutional norms by directing the present chief Minister to prove his majority. But unfortunately, the Governor has so far not taken any step to conduct the floor test, he said. 

Stating that the Governor’s inaction will pave way for horse-trading, the petitioner submitted that the failure to take steps by the Governor to conduct the floor test immediately would be against public interest. 

The plea sought for a direction to the Governor to conduct the floor test as per the request made by the opposition leader and ensure that the Government functions in accordance with the provisions mandated in the Constitution.