Status quo in TN, floor test put on hold
THE HIGH COURT ALSO ORDERED THE ELECTION COMMISSION NOT TO HOLD BYPOLLS FOR THE 18 SEATS WHERE MLAS WERE DISQUALIFIED
CHENNAI: No floor test will be carried out in the Tamil Nadu assembly till all petitions challenging the disqualification of 18 legislators from the ruling AIADMK are heard, the Madras high court ruled on Wednesday, extending a stay on a vote that can lead to a decisive outcome in a bitter political feud.
Wednesday’s orders were a mixed result for the two factions in the AIADMK, since the court did not agree to suspend the disqualification of the legislators.
The AIADMK has been embroiled in a succession war since the death of its matriarch J Jayalalithaa in December. On one side are Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palanisami and former CM O Panneerselvam, and on the other are the 18 ousted MLAS led by TTV Dinakaran.
Justice M Duraiswamy ruled that the disqualification will continue and ordered the Elec- tion Commission not to hold bypolls for the 18 vacancies notified by the Speaker.
The judge also gave time for Palanisami to consolidate, giv- ing all petitioners — including members from the opposition DMK — to file counters by October 4. All petitions will be heard together on that day.
Eight of the 18 MLAS had moved the court on Monday, challenging the action against them under the anti-defection law.
The dissident MLAS condemned the Speaker’s order as “unauthorised” and “illegal” in their individual petitions.