TN Speaker Issues Summons to Palaniswami, Four MLAs Over Disqualification Plea

Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J C D Prabhakar has summoned AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami and four former party MLAs to appear before him on July 30 in connection with a petition seeking their disqualification under the anti-defection law, an official said on Monday.

The four former MLAs Maragatham Kumaravel, representing Maduranthakam; P Sathyabama of Dharapuram; S Jayakumar of Perundurai; and Esakki Subaya of Ambasamudram had quit the AIADMK and joined the ruling TVK less than a month after winning the Assembly election on AIADMK tickets.

The summons were issued on July 24 by Assembly Secretary R Shanthi on behalf of the Assembly Secretariat, conveying the Speaker's direction for the individuals to appear before him and explain their respective positions.

Palaniswami, who is also the AIADMK floor leader, had sought action against the four legislators under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution, arguing that they had resigned from the party after being elected on its tickets and subsequently joined the ruling party.

Each of the four MLAs has been allotted a specific time between 11 am and 12.30 pm on July 30 to present their explanation before the Speaker. Palaniswami has also been summoned in connection with the proceedings.

The four legislators were among 25 rebel AIADMK MLAs who voted in favour of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay-led TVK government during the floor test on May 13, despite the party's directive.

Following the floor test, Palaniswami accepted 21 of the 25 rebel MLAs back into the AIADMK after they reconciled with the party and agreed to work under his leadership. However, action against the four who subsequently left the AIADMK and joined TVK continued.

The July 30 hearing is expected to determine the next course of action in the anti-defection proceedings against the four former legislators.