The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government will prove its majority on the floor of the Legislative Assembly [as and when it is necessary], R. Vaithilingam, party organising secretary and Rajya Sabha member, said on Tuesday.
Mr. Vaithilingam was responding to a question by The Hindu on the submission of letters by 19 MLAs loyal to sidelined deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran to Govenror Ch.Vidyasagar Rao, expressing their lack of confidence in Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and withdrawal of support to him.
Mr. Vaithilingam, who is also the deputy chairperson of the unified party’s coordination committee, said “the present government will continue its excellent performance and remain in office for the next four years.” [The present Assembly was constituted on May 21, 2016].
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On the announcement of Mr. Dhinakaran expelling him from the party, he said ''his action [Mr. Dhinakaran's] will not be binding on me. I will continue my party work.” Only on Monday, two factions of the ruling party had come together “in the interests of party workers," he noted.
Another party leader, who did not wish to be quoted, said it remained to be seen whether the the 19 MLAs' submission of ''withdrawal of support'' letters was just posturing on the part of Mr. Dhinakaran or not.