Disqualification orders on 18 dissident AIADMK MLAs likely

Earlier, Speaker P Dhanapal held discussions at length with CM Palaniswami, deputy CM O Panneerselvam and Advocate General Vijay Narayan. Sources said the decision to disqualify the MLAs is final and the Speaker would soon pass the orders.

The deadline for the dissidents to appear in person expired on Thursday evening while only P Vetrivel (Perambur) appeared before the Speaker and made interim submissions on behalf of the rest of the MLAs who are in a Coorg resort at present. Besides the interim reply, the pro-TTV legislators had sought protection from Karnataka Police citing threats and additional documents for providing their final reply.

A total of 19 MLAs withdrew their support to the CM while STK Jakkaiyan (Cumbum MLA) switched allegiance to the ruling dispensation from the TTV camp and hence is spared from any action. He claimed to have been under duress. However, the MLAs rallying behind Dinakaran are unperturbed. “We have sought certain clarifications before any finality is achieved in the matter. If they chose to act before that, let them disqualify us. We do not fear losing membership in the Assembly. We are ready to face it,” Vetrivel told DTNext.