TN political instability continues: Madras HC stays floor test
What's the story
Madras HC has adjourned the 18 MLAs disqualification case to October 4. They said no trust vote would happen unless the case is disposed off and no bypolls will be conducted for seats of disqualified MLAs. After the TN speaker disqualified 18 MLAs from Dhinakaran's camp under the Anti-defection law for revolting against the government, they filed a plea in Madras HC contesting the order.
Scenario
What has the situation been until now?
TN politics has been experiencing a flux. V Sasikala and Dhinakaran were suspended from AIADMK which is now headed by CM Palaniswamy and Panneerselvam. Dhinakaran claimed that he had approximately 21 MLAs with him that could go up to 40, who would vote against the government, if a floor test happened. The opposition was clamoring for the Palaniswamy government to prove its majority.
Setback
What does the HC order mean for CM E. Palaniswamy?
Madras HC pushing the floor test is a setback for CM Palaniswamy. This is because the total legislators in the Assembly were 234, but excluding Jayalalithaa, Karunanidhi and speaker, the strength was 231. With disqualification of 18 MLAs, the strength became 213, which made the halfway mark 106. With AIADMK's total strength of 116 members, they could've easily won the trust vote.
Dhinakaran
Meanwhile, Dhinakaran's lawyer accuses speaker of depriving MLAs' rights
TTV Dhinakaran's lawyer asked the court that "MLAs didn't vote against party or resigned." So, he questioned the scope of anti-defection. He said that the "speaker is depriving right of MLAs." Further, he has also questioned that as per Assembly laws, why no committee was constituted to look into the disqualification. Moreover, Dhinakaran claimed that the speaker refused to furnish documents about the disqualification.
Do you know?
What is the opposition DMK saying?
The opposition DMK's lawyers argued that the TN governor is delaying the decision of fresh Assembly elections on purpose. They said "CM and speaker were collaborating to disrupt confidence motion." DMK working President will hold a meeting today to decide the future course of action.