DMK moves Madras HC seeking disqualification of Panneerselvam, 11 MLAs

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) approached the Madras High Court on Monday demanding disqualification of Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and his team of 11 MLAs for voting against Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami's government on February 18.

The petition has been filled by DMK whip in Legislative Assembly R. Chakrapani.

As per the DMK action of Panneerselvam and his team in having voted against his whip would fall under the Tamil Nadu Legislative (Disqualification on ground of Defection) Rules of 1986.

The DMK moved to the High Court to seek a direction to the Speaker and the Assembly Secretary to initiate disqualification process.

The DMK insisted that instead of taking action against those MLAs, the Speaker had, disqualified 18 other AIADMK MLAs, those were supporting the AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran.

Earlier on September 20, the Madras High Court extended stay order on floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly until further order.

The High Court directed no election notification to seats of 18 disqualified MLAs and no stay on the disqualification.

The hearing in the case has been adjourned till October 4.

The High Court was hearing the plea of 18 MLAs, supporting Dhinakaran, who were disqualified by Speaker Dhanapal for withdrawing their support to Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy.

The 18 disqualified MLAs had then filed a plea challenging their disqualification.

The Dinakaran faction had earlier met the officials from the Election Commission and requested them to declare the recently-conducted general council meeting of the party null and void.

The faction also moved the Madras High Court on plea over a floor test in the Tamil Nadu assembly.