DMK Seeks Apex Court Intervention on Disqualification of 3 AIADMK MLAs
Image for representational use only.Image Courtesy : Deccan Chronicle
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has moved the Supreme Court seeking to bar the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly from taking a decision about the fate of three Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of the ruling All India Anna Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). The hearing is set to take place on Monday, May 6. The case was filed after the DMK submitted a no-confidence motion against the Speaker, P. Dhanapal.
The AIADMK had earlier demanded disqualification of three of its MLAs for allegedly supporting the splinter group, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) led by TTV Dinakaran. This DMK’s move is seen by many as a tactical one to prevent the Speaker from disqualifying the rebel MLAs, which would reduce the strength in the House.
The sharp action of the DMK in moving the no-confidence motion against the Speaker last week came after AIADMK moved the Speaker to disqualify its three MLAs accused of joining the Dinakaran camp. The disqualification became crucial for the ruling party as the MLAs have not yet resigned from the primary membership of AIADMK. It is said that the ruling party is trying every trick in the book to retain power as the results of the bye-election are expected to go in favour of DMK.
The DMK, on the other side, hopes to sweep all the 22 constituencies and return back to power. It is believed that the ruling camp is probably having sleepless nights with predictions of bye-elections going against them.
Also read: DMK-led Alliance in Tamil Nadu Hoping for a Clean Sweep
The three ‘rebel’ MLAs have been served with a show-cause notice by the Speaker’s office based on the allegations levelled by the chief whip of AIADMK following which DMK approached the Supreme Court. DMK has argued that a Speaker facing no-confidence motion does not have the power to disqualify the MLAs.
The DMK has time and again alleged that the constitutional office of the Speaker has been misused by AIADMK for the survival of its government. The motion moved by DMK in March 2017 was defeated in the House with 122 AIADMK votes.
Meanwhile, AIADMK has accused DMK and AMMK of joining hands to topple the government. Chief Minister Edapadi K Palaniswami himself alleged this in a press meet while campaigning for his party’s candidate in the Sulur Assembly constituency in Coimbatore. The DMK has rubbished the allegations.
Tamil Nadu has been witness to lot of political developments after the demise of two iconic leaders-- M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa. The present government continues to face a lot of criticism for giving in to the pressure by the Centre on various issues affecting the people.
The present move of the DMK is again set to put the state government in a tight spot. The Supreme Court’s verdict and the bye-election results scheduled for May 23 will have a considerable impact on the state’s political situation.
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