The Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker has drawn up a timeline to conclude proceedings on disqualification petitions against six former AIADMK MLAs who switched to the ruling TVK, with final arguments scheduled for November 17, according to an exclusive document accessed by NDTV.
The final submission of rejoinders, further replies and documents, if any, by the petitioners and respondents is due on October 26, according to the schedule signed by Assembly Additional Secretary P Thenmozhi on October 17. Proof affidavits or affidavits of evidence must be submitted by both sides on November 2.
The decision has political implications for the TVK government. The Congress, with five MLAs, the IUML and VCK, with two each, are power-sharing allies, while the CPI and CPM, with two MLAs each, support the government from outside. Meanwhile, by-elections to five other vacant Assembly seats, including the seat vacated by Chief Minister Vijay, have been held up by pending election petitions. The Election Commission is expected to initiate the by-election process after the petitions are disposed of.
The proceedings stem from a trust vote in which 25 AIADMK MLAs defied their party whip and voted in favour of the minority TVK government. prompting the AIADMK to withdraw its disqualification petitions against them, the remaining six chose to resign and immediately join the ruling TVK While 19 subsequently expressed regret. With 107 seats of its own against the Assembly’s majority mark of 118, the party relies on allies and outside support to sustain its government.
