CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar has summoned AIADMK general secretary and Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami, along with four former AIADMK legislators facing disqualification proceedings under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, to appear before him on July 30 for further clarification in the ongoing defection case.
According to a communication issued by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Secretariat, the Speaker has directed former AIADMK MLAs Maragatham Kumaravel (Maduranthagam), P. Sathyabama (Dharapuram), S. Jeyakumar (Perundurai) and Esakki Subaya (Ambasamudram) to appear individually before him between 11 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. Each has been allotted a 30-minute slot for the hearing.
Palaniswami has also been asked to remain present during the proceedings to provide additional clarification on the petition filed by him.
The proceedings arise from a disqualification petition submitted by Palaniswami on May 13, shortly after the trust vote held following the formation of the C. Joseph Vijay-led TVK government.
During the confidence motion, 25 AIADMK legislators voted in support of the new government, defying the party whip issued by the AIADMK leadership.
Subsequently, Palaniswami decided to condone the actions of 21 of the 25 legislators. However, the remaining four members -- Maragatham Kumaravel, P. Sathyabama, S. Jeyakumar and Esakki Subaya -- later resigned from the Assembly and joined the ruling TVK, prompting the party leadership to continue pursuing disqualification proceedings against them under the anti-defection law.
As part of the inquiry, the four former legislators have already appeared before the Speaker on two separate occasions. During those hearings, they submitted both oral and written explanations regarding their decision to vote against the party whip during the confidence motion.
Following their submissions, the Speaker sought further clarification from Palaniswami on issues arising from the explanations furnished by the former legislators.
AIADMK representatives subsequently submitted the party leader’s written response before the Assembly Secretariat.
With the latest round of hearings, the Speaker is expected to examine the explanations provided by both sides before deciding the next course of action in the anti-defection proceedings.
The outcome of the inquiry is being closely watched, as it could have significant political and legal implications for both the AIADMK and the ruling TVK government.
--IANS
