AIADMK Faces Major Setback as Three MLAs Resign in Tamil Nadu
CHENNAI: Speaker JCD Prabhakar accepted a handwritten resignation letter from former Minister and sitting Ambasamudram MLA Esakki Subbaiah on Tuesday, after initially rejecting a typed version. Subbaiah is anticipated to join the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). This comes on the heels of resignations by three MLAs from the rebel faction led by former AIADMK ministers C Ve Shanmugam and SP Velumani. The lawmakers include Maragatham Kumaravel from Madurantakam (reserved), P Sathyabama from Dharapuram (reserved), and S Jayakumar from Perundurai. Their exits reduced the number of MLAs in the rebel faction to 16 from 25.
Following the acceptance of Subbaiah’s resignation, Prabhakar stated that he would only accept resignation letters submitted in person and in the correct format. “My decision is final regarding the acceptance of MLA resignation letters. No timeframe can be established for my deliberation on the matter,” Prabhakar remarked, emphasizing adherence to legal provisions.
Earlier on Tuesday, a group led by former ministers Agri S S Krishnamoorthy and O S Manian met the Speaker to urge him to disregard resignations from the rebel faction. They also requested the Speaker to retract the government order declaring the Madurantakam (reserved), Dharapuram (reserved), and Perundurai constituencies vacant following the recent resignations. “Accepting these resignations is tantamount to facilitating horse-trading by the ruling TVK,” Agri Krishnamoorthy informed journalists after conferring with the Speaker. He added that the TVK government is “horse-trading at breakneck speed,” referring to the swift issuance of membership cards to the resigned MLAs.
The delegation also contended that accepting resignations from MLAs involved in anti-defection proceedings contravenes the Constitution. “When the party leader’s (EPS) representation is pending before the Speaker, resignations from MLAs facing legal action should not be considered,” stated AIADMK RS MP IS Inbadurai.
In a related inquiry, former Speaker M Appavu questioned the urgency displayed by the current Speaker concerning the resignation letters from the newly elected MLAs.
