TN: Disqualified MLAs asked to vacate hostel rooms, pay rent
What's the story
Post the disqualification of 18 AIADMK legislators, their rooms at the MLA Hostel in Chennai have been sealed and the individuals asked to settle pending dues. The action, which has brought huge relief to the K Palaniswami government, comes in the wake of the October 25 Madras High Court order upholding their disqualification by Speaker P Dhanapal last year for 'defection.'
Details
Take belongings in presence of an Under Secretary: Notice
A notice from Assembly Secretary K Srinivasan put up on their rooms has also asked them to take their belongings in the presence of an Under Secretary (Hostel Administration) after intimating the official. It further said, the MLAs were "not entitled to any facilities provided to the Members of Legislative Assembly including the MLAs' residential quarters" and asked them to vacate the premises.
Reason
MLAs were disqualified after they expressed no confidence in Palaniswami
All the 18 were disqualified as MLAs last September, days after they met the then Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and expressed no confidence in Palaniswami. The move of the MLAs, loyal to sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran and the party's deposed leader VK Sasikala, had come after Palaniswami merged his faction with that of then rebel leader O Panneerselvam, now State Deputy Chief Minister.