Disqualified Andipatti MLA Thanga Tamilselvan on Monday said he was firm on withdrawing his petition challenging his disqualification, though voters in his constituency had appealed to him to fight it out in court.
Mr. Thanga Tamilselvan is among the 18 loyalists of Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran, who were disqualified under the anti-defection law.
Talking to mediapersons after interacting with voters in Andipatti, he said the people had advised him to fight it out legally.
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“But I have no intention to do so. I will proceed on the basis of my decision. I have already briefed party head T.T.V. Dhinakaran. He respected my concerns and permitted [me] to proceed further,” he said.
A two-judge bench of the Madras High Court had given a split verdict on petitions filed by the disqualified legislators challenging the Speaker’s action. Consequently, the matter would be referred to a third judge.
To a query, he said he would meet other disqualified MLAs on Tuesday and urge them to follow the course of action that he would be taking.
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Later, a group of women from Kondamanaickanpatti appealed to him to take steps to close a Tasmac shop in their village.