Fifty Four AIADMK MLA's urged the Speaker to disqualify two dissident MLAs Immediately

A contingent of 54 AIADMK MLAs led by Deputy leader of the opposition O Panneerselvam on Wednesday met Tamil Nadu Assembly Secretary and demanded the disqualification of the two party MLAs, R. Radhakrishnan and K Rajendran under anti-defection law for openly pledging support to the ruling DMK.

Two days after Speaker R Avudaiyappan had said notices had been sent to the two MLAs, seeking their clarification on a petition by AIADMK whip K A Sengottaiyan, about 54 MLAs, led by O Panneerselvam called on the secretary to press their demand.

The party MLAs gave fresh petitions, one by O Panneerselvan and signed by 27 MLAs and other presented by D Jayakumar and signed by 26 MLAs, demanding action against Kovilpatti MLA Radhakrishnan and Jayankondam Legislator Mr Rajendran.

As the Speaker was not available, they presented the petitions yesterday afternoon to the Assembly Secretary M Selvaraj at the Secretariat.

They alleged that the two MLAs had called on Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin and DMK’s Union Minister M K Azhagiri and openly pledged support to the ruling DMK, though they were elected to the assembly on AIADMK ticket.

Citing relevant rules under the anti-defection law and Assembly rules, the MLAs demanded that the two legislators be disqualified.

Sengottaiyan, in his petition earlier submitted that the two MLAs had voluntarily given up the membership of the AIADMK and defected to the DMK by participating in the General Council meeting presided over by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on February 20.

- Asian Tribune -