Edappadi camp claims majority

The Chief Minister’s side says 124 of the party’s 134 MLAs back the government; Dhinakaran camp and DMK dispute the numbers.

September 05, 2017 02:50 pm | Updated 09:16 pm IST - Chennai

Edappadi K. Palaniswami

Edappadi K. Palaniswami

Forty-five of the 50 district secretaries belonging to two factions of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam —  Amma and Puratchi Thalaivi Amma (PTA) — attended a meeting chaired by E. Madhusudanan, the party’s presidium chairman on September 5. Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, who was treasurer of the undivided AIADMK and leader of the AIADMK (PTA), participated in the meeting held at the party headquarters in Chennai.

Those district-level functionaries who did not make it to the meeting were P. Vetrivel (North Chennai), Thangatamilselvan (Theni), V.P. Kalairajan (South Chennai – North); M. Rengasamy (Thanjavur North) and N.G. Parthiban  (Vellore East), all of whom are with the T.T.V. Dhinakaran camp. Except Mr. Kalairajan, all others are MLAs too.

Asked whether any resolution would be adopted against jailed interim general-secretary V.K. Sasikala at the proposed general council meeting, Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar, who briefed the press of the discussion at the day’s meeting, told the media that it would not be proper to comment on the issue at the present juncture.

Asked for reaction to Mr. Dhinakaran’s statement that legal proceedings would be initiated against those who would attend the general council, the Minister described it as “wrong and ridiculous”.

124 MLAs back us, says CM’s camp

Earlier in the day, Mr. Palaniswami held a meeting of its legislators and claimed the backing of 124 MLAs, including nine from the Dhinkaran camp.

The assertion came after the meeting convened by Mr. Palaniswami amid persistent demand by the Opposition for a floor test after rebellion by as many as 21 MLAs loyal to Mr. Dhinakaran.

Mr. Jayakumar told reporters that 111 MLAs attended the meeting expressing support to Mr. Palaniswami and signed the party register. Nine MLAs from “that camp” (the Dhinakaran faction) also extended support to the Chief Minister over phone, he claimed, emerging from the meeting held at party headquarters in Chennai.

Mr. Jayakumar said three MLAs of allied parties — S. Karunaas (Mukkulathor Pulipadai), M. Thamimun Ansari (Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi) and U. Thaniyarasu (Tamil Nadu Kongu Ilaignar Peravai) — who contested the 2016 Assembly polls on AIADMK’s Two Leaves symbol, have also pledged support to Mr. Palaniswami as also another party MLA who could not attend due to health reasons.

However, the Dhinakaran camp, which has been pressing for replacement of Mr. Palaniswami, disputed the claim and dared them to name the nine MLAs.

It may be recalled that a group of 19 MLAs loyal to Mr. Dhinakaran had met Governor Ch. Vidayasagar Rao on August 22 expressing lack of confidence in the Chief Minister. This came a day after the merger of factions led by Mr. Palaniswami and O. Panneerselvam, presently the Deputy Chief Minister.

The internal strife in AIADMK prompted the Opposition parties to claim that the Palaniswami government has lost majority and seek a floor test in the Assembly.

In the 234-member Assembly which has one seat vacant, the AIADMK has 134 MLAs excluding the Speaker while the DMK-led Opposition has 98 legislators.

The presence of 111 MLAs at today’s meeting is seen as a boost to Mr. Palaniswami, whose earlier meeting on August 28 reportedly witnessed less attendance with some reports even claiming that only around 75 MLAs took part in it.

Mr. Jayakumar claimed that though the nine pro-Dhinkaran MLAs were unable to take part in the September 5 meeting, they assured “their support for all the decisions and steps” (to be taken by Mr. Palaniswami).

Incidentally, invitation had been extended to all the AIADMK MLAs, including the rebels who are staying put in neighbouring Puducherry since revolting against Mr. Palaniswami. Mr. Jayakumar said Peravurani MLA M. Govindarasu, though could not take part in the meeting due to his indisposition, spoke to the Chief Minister over phone and pledged his support.

He termed as “historic” the decision of the MLAs (to support Mr. Palaniswami) and said hopes of some to thrust election on people had been dashed. “Detractors” (the Dhinakaran camp MLAs) will not be pardoned by the people and they cannot go to their constituencies as well, he said in reply to a question.

Questioning the claim of the ruling group, a key Dhinakaran loyalist, Thangatamilselvan, MLA, dared them to come up with the names of those nine legislators. He also said: “If Governor does not quickly taken a decision in two days, we will decide on our next move.”

Another prominent Dhinakaran camp leader and former Minister P. Palaniappan said the attendance in the September 5 meeting was by itself a “proof” that the government was in a minority. “Governor would have come to know that he (Mr. Palaniswami) does not have majority,” he said claiming that Mr. Palaniswami ceased to have the locus standi to be the Chief Minister. Mr. Palaniappan said, “We expect” that the Governor will fix a date for Palaniswami to prove his majority in Assembly.

DMK claims only 109 MLAs attended meeting

DMK Working President and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, M. K. Stalin said the Governor should immediately order a floor test and direct Palaniswami to prove his majority. Quoting some media reports, he said only 109 MLAs attended the meeting.

“If the Governor does not order a floor test even now, we will initiate next course of action after deliberations,” he said.

(With inputs from PTI)

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