CHENNAI: The AIADMK faction led by senior party leaders C Ve Shanmugam and SP Velumani on Thursday claimed that they have a majority of MLAs on their side and accused party president Edappadi K Palaniswami and legislators supporting him of “challenging” their whip regarding the floor test for the TVK government, and sought their disqualification.
C Vijayabaskar, the faction’s ‘whip’, told reporters that the legislative party is decided on the basis of majority numbers and noted that the Shanmugam-Velumani faction enjoyed this.
He said his instructions to vote in favor of the TVK government led by C Joseph Vijay during the vote of confidence on Wednesday were duly sent to all AIADMK MLAs through Whatsapp and email.
“Out of 47 MLAs, 25 adhered to the instructions. As many as 22 MLAs, including Edappadi Palaniswami, did not comply with the instructions issued by me, the whip and I disobeyed them. So we met the Assembly Speaker today and requested their disqualification under the anti-defection law,” he said.
“The majority of MLAs under Velumani followed the whip’s order. So only the majority is valid,” he said.
Citing precedents, Velumani said that when there is a split in the party due to difference of opinion, no decision can be taken; No person may be appointed or removed from party or organization positions.
He said, “We are clear in convening the party’s general council to discuss the reasons for the election defeat. He is the Secretary-General.”
Moreover, he criticized the party president and said that his actions regarding the dismissal of employees from party positions and making new appointments were “invalid.”
“Our aim is to strengthen the party. To bring back those who have gone and those who have been expelled from the party. Why did MGR take a starring role in the party to oppose the DMK,” the former minister said.
He added that Palaniswami’s decisions on removing people from their party posts were invalid and “they are continuing in their posts.”
The AIADMK chief removed Shanmugam, Velumani and others from their party posts in the wake of the row and cross-vote in the confidence vote conducted by the TVK government on Wednesday in which the ruling party won comfortably.
Meanwhile, Palaniswami met with senior leaders to discuss their next steps.
Amid rising tensions in the AIADMK, the party headquarters, Puratchi Thalaivar MGR Maaligai, has come under heavy police security cover, apparently in anticipation of trouble. Violence broke out and the AIADMK headquarters was targeted and damaged during the growing disagreements between Palaniswami and then party leader O Panneerselvam over the 2022 leadership tussle.
Speaking to the media, Shanmugam asserted that his MLAs or senior leaders will not visit the AIADMK headquarters unless his outfit gets justice. “In any case, I will not come to the head office,” he said, adding, “We will also ensure that there will be no clash between the two groups.”
Palaniswami also chaired a meeting with MLAs supporting him at his residence here to counter the rebel group. A large number of AIADMK cadres thronged the former chief minister’s residence with flower bouquets to express their support. He was also summoned by newly appointed officials.
Meanwhile, Palaniswami supporter, ‘whip’ Aggrey S Krishnamurthy and legislator Thalavai N Sundaram met Assembly Speaker J C D Prabhakar seeking action on their complaint seeking disqualification of the rebellious MLAs as they did not vote against the government in the floor test on Wednesday in line with the party’s directives.
Meanwhile, Palaniswami has removed party MLA G Hari from his party posts.
The AIADMK president said in a statement that Hari, an MLA in Tiruttani, has been “discharged” from party posts, including that of organizing secretary. Harry is part of the rebel faction.
This article was generated from an automated news feed without any modifications to the text.
