Independent MLA withdraws notice seeking removal of Speaker

: The Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal Wednesday said that independent MLA S Karunaas, elected on an AIADMK ticket, has withdrawn a notice seeking his removal.

Karunaas had in October 2018 moved the notice against Dhanapal, alleging that the Speaker was acting in a biased and partisan manner while conducting assembly proceedings.

"He (Karunaas) had given a resolution against me. He himself has withdrawn it," Dhanapal told reporters here, but did not elaborate.

Founder of a caste-based outfit and elected from Tiruvadanai constituency on an AIADMK ticket, Karunaas also called on Chief Minister K Palaniswami Wednesday, sparking off speculations of a possible rapprochement with the ruling camp.

Incidentally, Karunaas was arrested in September last for allegedly making some provocative remarks against the chief minister and police at a public meeting.

Karunaas, also a Tamil cinema comedian, had in the resolution, alleged that Dhanapal was not acting in accordance with the Constitutional and legal principles.

"He is acting in a biased and partisan manner while conducting the assembly proceedings as well as discharging his constitutional duties as a Speaker," Karunaas had submitted.

Meanwhile, a brief government release said Karunaas called on Palaniswami at the Secretariat and submitted a petition.

The developments triggered speculations of a rapprochement between Karunaas and the ruling camp, as reports had earlier emerged that his move seeking Dhanapal's removal could be seen as an act of revolt against the AIADMK and hence he can attract disciplinary action.

Karunaas was immediately not available for a comment.

The actor, who aligned with the AIADMK for the 2016 assembly polls, was elected from Tiruvadanai constituency in Ramanathapuram district on an AIADMK ticket.

He had later met sidelined AIADMK leader and RK Nagar MLA Dhinakaran, who has also floated his own Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, post his ouster from the AIADMK.