Future tense for Dhanapal amid calls for removal

Cutting across party lines, the Opposition extended support to Karunaas, who is facing an alleged disqualification bid by the AIADMK.

Political analysts believe that the MLA’s move is aimed at thwarting the efforts of the ruling dispensation to disqualify four rebel MLAs to ensure that the AIADMK does not lose in the event of a trust vote.

“What is wrong in Karunaas moving the disqualification motion against the Speaker. The Speaker disqualified 18 AIADMK MLAs who are loyalists of Amma and now he is planning to disqualify a few more AIADMK MLAs, thus weakening our party. Is this not anti-party activity?” asked Kallakurichi MLA A Prabhu who recently switched loyalty to TTV Dhinakaran. “My constituency is neglected by the ruling dispensation and all the tender processes stopped by the administrators. At this juncture, any MLA will try to protect the interests of voters and we will continue to protest against this anti-public government,” Prabhu said.

When asked what his next move would be if the Speaker disqualifies, the MLA said there is no evidence for the party whip to prove that he violated his order. Under such circumstances, disqualification does not arise and if they still disqualify illegally, I will leave the issue for my leader TTV Dhinakaran to decide, he said. Both Edappadi Palaniswami and Deputy CM O Panneerselvam united for their personal gains and this has affected the MLAs badly and so the dissent, Prabhu alleged.

“Article 179, Section C shall be moved unless at least 14 days’ notice is served and if this notice is processed then the Assembly has to be convened,” opined senior advocate NGR Prasad. The notice has to be analysed in detail as it pertains to the office of Speaker and the matter can be decided only after a majority of the House passes the motion. The next course of action will be applicable only after 14 days of accepting the notice, the senior lawyer explained.

The Madras High Court which is hearing the disqualification case of 18 MLAs has reserved its orders and the verdict is likely to decide the fate of the Palaniswami government.