Win for EPS, Madras-HC upholds disqualification of 18 rebel MLAs
In a major relief to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami, the Madras High Court on Thursday upheld the disqualification of 18 rebel MLAs, loyal to the Sasikala-Dhinakaran faction of AIADMK. The speaker P Dhanapal had disqualified the lawmakers under the anti-defection law after they expressed they had no confidence in the CM. The rebels, then, moved higher court challenging the speaker's decision.
After order, AIADMK says democracy has won
Had the Madras HC canceled their disqualification, AIADMK would have lost the majority in the House. With their disqualification upheld, there will be by-elections soon. Two more seats will go to by-elections that have been vacant because of the death of members. After the verdict, the party tweeted it was a win for democracy and that traitors have lost.
This is a victory of dharma, says Pollachi V Jayaraman
Earlier, Madras HC had given a split verdict
Earlier, the High Court had given a split verdict after which the Supreme Court appointed a third judge Justice Sathyanarayana. Delivering the verdict, Justice Sathyanarayana said, "All the material that was available at the time of the passing of the order by the Speaker alone have been taken into consideration and this court cannot go into the subsequent events."
Understanding the number game in Tamil Nadu Assembly
The strength of the Tamil Nadu Assembly is 234, meaning 117 MLAs are needed for the majority in the House. Notably, 89 MLAs from DMK, 8 from Congress, 1 from IUML and 24 who were loyal to Dhinakaran, meant the ones opposing EPS were 122 MLAs. But after the disqualification of 18 MLAs, the number needed to prove majority was brought down to 107.
Dhinakaran doesn't consider it a defeat just yet
Despite the order not favoring their cause, Dhinakaran said it was a lesson for them and they aren't defeated just yet. "It is not a setback for us. This is an experience, we will face the situation. Future course of action will be decided after meeting with the 18 MLAs," he told ANI after the verdict.
