CHENNAI: Rebel lawmakers in Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK, who wanted Chief Minister E Palaniswami sacked, might lose their seats. Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal sent disqualification notices to 19 lawmakers, for meeting the Governor and demanding to replace the CM. They have been given a week to respond to the notice under the anti-defection law. Supporters of jailed party chief Sasikala and her nephew TTV Dhinakaran, the MLAs had asked Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao to seek a vote of confidence.
They have alleged that Palaniswami, by merging with the O Panneerselvam faction, had “forfeited the confidence of the people”. The entire rebellion seems to have been orchestrated by Dhinakaran to get back at both, Palaniswami and OPS, for booting him and Sasikala out of the party last week. AIADMK's chief whip S Rajendran said the Speaker's notice followed his complaint. “The 19 MLAs did not inform me that they are meeting the Governor. They have acted against the interest of the party.” He said that under the Tamil Nadu assembly rules, a lawmaker can be disqualified for anti-party activities under the anti-defection law.
However, counsel for Dhinakaran camp, Sendoora Pandian said they would not let the Speaker's actions go unchallenged. “We would take it to the Supreme Court if any action is taken,” he said. Following the merger last week, the AIADMK now has 134 legislators in the 234-member assembly. If a confidence vote is to be conducted and the 19 lawmakers voted against the government, the AIADMK will be left with 115 MLAs, short of a 2 for a simple majority of 117 seats. However, if they are disqualified, Palaniswami won't have much to worry about.
