We are still in AIADMK: Dissident MLAs reply to the notice

The two dissident All India Anna DMK MLAs, Kovilpatti L Radhakrishnan and Jayamkondam M Rajendran, on Thursday replied to the show cause notice issued by Tamil Nadu Speaker R. Avudaiyappan on a petition seeking to disqualify them under the anti-defection law for attending the General Council meeting of the ruling DMK, recently.

The duo replied in a separate written letters stating that they were still in the AIADMK. Some political rivalries in the party petitioned against them with ulterior motive, they said.

Radhakrishnan and Rajendran, appeared before the Speaker at his chamber in the State Secretariat and submitted their reply.

Replying to the notice issued by the Speaker on a petition submitted by Opposition AIADMK whip K A Sengottaiyan seeking their disqualification, the two Legislators contended that they continued to be members of AIADMK.

They had met Union Minister M K Azhagiri only to highlight the basic problems faced by the people in their constituencies and had no intention to defect to the DMK.

Talking to reporters after receiving replies, the Speaker said both the MLAs said the petition, seeking to disqualify them under the anti-defection act, was filed due to intra-party differences and that they continued to remain with the AIADMK.

''It's under my consideration,'' the Speaker, repeatedly said when asked whether it was proper for an Opposition party legislator to attend the General Council meeting of a rival party.

''They have just given the reply. I have to see whether they have any intention to change to other party or had voluntarily given up their AIADMK membership. It depends on the facts of the case'', he said, adding, there was no time frame for him to take a final decision on the issue.

- Asian Tribune -