After DMK, Vaiko opposes any action against 3 AIADMK MLAs

MDMK founder Vaiko Sunday claimed the move by ruling AIADMK for action against three of its MLAs for siding with rival leader TTV Dhinankaran was "only to protect" the K Palaniswami government as it will 'lose' majority after the outcome of bypolls to 22 assembly seats.

Government whip S Rajendran's petition with Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal seeking action against the MLAs A Prabu, E Rathinasabapathy and V T Kalaiselvan was being "seen" as a step towards their possible disqualification, he said adding the Speaker should 'ignore' the plea.

In a statement here, Vaiko claimed the May 23 results of polls to both the 38 Lok Sabha seats and by-elections to 22 assembly segments in the state will go against the ruling BJP at the Centre and the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu.

"Though there is Constitutional provision to take action against them under the anti-defection law, the Whip had submitted the said complaint with the Speaker only to protect the K Palaniswami government," he maintained.

It had become "evident" that Palaniswami is going to lose majority and such attempts were aimed at "safeguarding" his position, he alleged.

The Speaker should realise acting "in favour" of the ruling party would 'impede' democracy and should therefore ignore the demand for "disqualifying the three legislators," he said.

The ruling AIADMK had on Friday approached Dhanapal for "due legal action" against the three MLAs for alleged anti-party activities in the backdrop of them siding with Dhinakaran, the general secretary of AMMK.

The move has sparked speculation about another round of disqualification of the ruling party legislators after Dhanapal had stripped 18 pro-Dhinakaran AIADMK MLAs of their assembly membership in September 2017 under the anti-defection law.

The 18 were disqualified for revolting against the chief minister in August 2017, after he merged the faction led by him with the group headed by then rebel leader O Panneerselvam, now the state deputy chief minister.

The DMK has also opposed any action against the three MLAs and warned of moving a no-confidence motion against the Speaker if he conceded the AIADMK's plea.