Chennai: The state government on Monday informed the Madras High Court that four AIADMK MLAs had voluntarily resigned from the assembly and that the Speaker would take action in accordance with assembly rules.
The submission was made during the hearing of a petition challenging the Speaker’s decision to accept the resignations of former AIADMK MLAs Maragatham Kumaravel (Maduranthakam), Jayakumar (Perundurai), Sathyabama (Dharapuram), and Esaki Subbaiya (Ambasamudram), who later joined TVK.
The petitioner, Desiya Makkal Padai Katchi leader M L Ravi, contended that the resignations were accepted while disqualification proceedings under the anti-defection law were pending against the legislators. The plea argued that allowing resignations in such circumstances diluted the anti-defection law and undermined the electorate’s mandate.
Senior counsel appearing for AIADMK whip Agri Krishnamurthy informed the court that a separate plea had been filed seeking a stay on by-elections and urging action against four MLAs under the anti-defection law.
Advocate-General Vijay Narayan submitted that the four legislators had resigned of their own accord and that the Speaker had already issued notices in the matter. He assured the court that further action would be taken in accordance with assembly rules and principles of natural justice.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice S C Dharmadhikari and Justice Arul Murugan adjourned the hearing to Wednesday.
