Eighteen dissident AIADMK MLAs, who were asked to appear before Speaker P. Dhanapal in connection with the notices issued to them, submitted their interim replies through their counsel on Thursday. They also sought security from Karnataka Police.
“On behalf of 18 AIADMK MLAs, interim replies have been submitted as to on what basis they called on the Governor. We [the 18 MLAs] have sought for certain documents. We have also sought for protection from Karnataka Police,” said N. Raja Senthoor Pandian, who appeared on behalf of the 18 AIADMK MLAs. Perambur MLA P. Vetrivel, along with Mr. Pandian, appeared before the Speaker on Thursday.
When asked why the 18 dissident MLAs, many of whom are staying in Kodagu, failed to appear before the Speaker, Mr. Pandian said, “We have sought for some documents. You give us the documents and then we will give our final reply. And then you call us for personal appearance,” Mr. Pandian said on behalf of the MLAs.
Replying to a query on the Speaker’s action of issuing notices after the Chief Government Whip recommended that the dissident MLAs be disqualified, Mr. Pandian said it was sub-judice.
“We have pleaded with the Speaker to arrange for protection from Karnataka Police. He asked us to give the request in writing and he will consider,” he said and added: “My clients have not committed any crime. They have not betrayed the party.”
To a query as to why his clients didn’t appear before the Speaker, Mr. Pandian said, “We have not said we would not come at all.” He also maintained it was not part of delaying tactics.
Earlier in the day, S. T. K. Jakkaiyan, who had switched from T.T.V. Dhinakaran’s side, appeared before the Speaker, since he was among the 19 MLAs who were issued notice. In a letter to the Speaker, Mr. Jakkaiyan said the letter he had submitted to the Governor was done under duress. Soon after, Chief Government Whip S. Rajendran held discussions with the Speaker at the latter’s chamber. In the evening, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Law Minister C.Ve. Shanmugam held discussions regarding the cases pending before the Madras High Court.
