The differences of opinion among AIADMK MLAs were an intra-family dispute and the ruling AIADMK government had sufficient majority in the Assembly, senior party leader and Deputy Assembly Speaker Pollachi V. Jayaraman claimed here on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Jayaraman referring to Cumbum MLA S.T.K. Jakkaiyan (who switched over to the camp headed by Chief Minister Palaniswami) said other MLAs, who presently owe allegiance to sidelined leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran too would follow suit.
“There is a minor dispute among us. However, if a challenge emerged for AIADMK government, all of those, who won on AIADMK’s two leaves symbol, would support the government under Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami,” he said.
When asked about the dissident AIADMK MLAs, he expressed confidence that they would soon appear before the Speaker. As for the demand of the opposition parties for a floor test, “We have already shown majority in floor test [in February this year],” he maintained.
Assailing the DMK leader and Leader of the Opposition M.K. Stalin for his comments on Chief Minister Palaniswami, Mr. Jayaraman said, “It is an internal party issue and there is no need for [Mr.] Stalin to poke his nose.”
Recalling incidents in the Assembly in February that witnessed violent scenes involving DMK legislators, Mr. Jayaraman said it was only because of the request made by DMK leaders, action was not taken against them.
‘Like mini Assembly’
“The Privileges Committee is like a mini Assembly. The Committee has all the powers the Assembly has. So, we will take necessary action at necessary time. Action would be taken against anyone who made mistakes,” the Deputy Speaker, also the Chairman of Privileges Committee, said.
Mr. Stalin could not even become the president of his own party and was still the working president, Mr. Jayaraman said and added: “His dream to become the Chief Minister would not come true.”
To persistent questions on the lack of unity among AIADMK MLAs, some of whom went to the High Court too, he said, “We all are Amma’s children. We will get back together.”
