Chennai: Tamilnadu Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal is likely to send notices to controversial MLA Karunas and three other legislators under the Anti-Defection Law.
According to sources, the decision has been made after hectic discussions were held in the Speaker’s chamber that saw participation from Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam.
With derogatory remarks falling on the government from an incumbent member of the legislative Assembly, the Speaker is said to have received a letter from party chief whip for action to be taken against Karunas for speaking against the government and the Chief Minister.
Sources said as per Section 6 of the Anti-Defection Law, AIADMK Whip S Rajendran has submitted a petition to the Speaker seeking action against Karunas and three other MLAs – E Rathinasabapathy (Aranthangi), VT Kalaiselvan (Vriddhachalam) and A Prabhu (Kallakurichi). Rajendran is said to have adduced documentary evidence to the Speaker to prove his claims.
On Monday, hectic discussions were held in the Speakers chamber at the Secretariat, in which Advocate-General Vijay Narayanan and Assembly Secretary K Srinivasan also took part, sources said.
Senior Ministers P Thangamani and SP Velumani also met the Speaker. Earlier in the day, Palaniswami and Panneerselvam called on the Speaker.
The discussions centered around legal aspects of sending show-cause notices to these four MLAs, asking why action should not be taken against them under the provisions of the Anti-Defection Law. Providing their answer is not acceptable, they can be disqualified.
Karunas at a meeting held at Valluvar Kottam, here, lashed out at the AIADMK-led government and Palaniswami. He was subsequently arrested on basis of provocative speech, for criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity, issuing death threats, among others.
He was later released from the Central Prison in Vellore on bail and upon coming out the actor-turned-politician stated that he was ready to face a 1,000 more cases and that they were foisted on him as he was continuously criticising the Thoothukudi firing incident.
Karunas also went on to state that he would reveal what happened at Koovathur resort, where, majority of AIADMK MLAs pledged support to VK Sasikala.
Though Karunas is leading Mukkulathor Pulipadai, he was elected on the AIADMK symbol of Two Leaves during the 2016 Assembly elections.
The other three MLAs, though elected on the Two Leaves symbol, have been given posts in AMMK led by TTV Dinakaran which is likely to warrant action under the Anti-Defection Law.
Meanwhile, the verdict on the 18 MLAs disqualification case is expected to come out on 8 October.