Chennai, Nov 13:
Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar on Thursday concluded the final round of inquiries on AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s petition seeking the disqualification of four former AIADMK legislators who defected to the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
The disqualification plea pertains to Maragatham Kumaravel (Madurantakam), P. Sathyabama (Dharapuram), S. Jayakumar (Perundurai), and Isakki Subbaiah (Ambasamudram).
Representing the AIADMK during the hearing, former ministers Agri S.S. Krishnamoorthy, Thalavai N. Sundaram, and Rajya Sabha MP I.S. Inbadurai pressed for their immediate disqualification, maintaining that Palaniswami’s personal appearance was unnecessary as the party whip had already submitted all relevant records.
Countering the plea, TVK advocate Surya Prakasam, appearing for the four legislators, contended that the AIADMK had failed to furnish documentary proof that any formal party whip was issued during the confidence motion.
“No whip was formally issued to the four MLAs to vote in a particular manner during the confidence motion. AIADMK had not submitted any evidence or documents to establish that a whip was issued,” Surya Prakasam said, urging the Speaker to dismiss the petition and pronounce his final order within the court-mandated timeframe.