Big Blow To Dhinakaran As Madras HC Upholds Disqualification Of 18 Rebel AIADMK MLAs, EPS-OPS Government Safe

The Madras High Court has upheld the disqualification of 18 dissident MLAs of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in its verdict delivered today, Economic Times has reported.

The verdict saves the current AIADMK government from losing the majority in the assembly, thereby preventing its fall.

“It is not a setback for us. This is an experience, we will face the situation. The future course of action will be decided after meeting with the 18 MLAs” leader of the dissident faction, TTV Dhinakaran told ANI.

The AIADMK MLAs were disqualified by the Tamil Nadu assembly speaker under the anti-defection law. They were dismissed after they met the governor of the state and expressed lack of confidence in September 2017. T T V Dhinakaran had also floated a new party by the name Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK).

The two-judge bench of the same court had delivered a split verdict in the case before today’s judgement. Justice Indira Banerjee had upheld the decision of the speaker, while Justice Sundar had struck down the disqualification of the 18 MLAs. The case had been heard afresh by Justice Sathyanarayanan.