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The ruling AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu survived a scare, with the first Bench of the Madras High Court delivering a split verdict in a case relating to the disqualification of 18 MLAs supporting estranged party leader TTV Dhinakaran, who revolted against Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.
Chief Justice Indira Banerjee confirmed the Speaker’s disqualification decision but Justice M Sundar disagreed in a case involving petitions filed by 18 AIAMDK rebel MLAs. “Since there has been disagreement between the two of us, the writ petitions (are to) be referred to a third Judge (Huluvadi G Ramesh).
“The difference of opinion being between the Chief Justice and Justice Sundar, the Chief Justice is of the view that it would not be appropriate for the Chief Justice to nominate the third judge. The writ petitions be referred to the next senior-most judge available for nomination of a third judge,” the common order said.
Had the MLAs won the case, they would have sought a no-confidence motion, and perhaps joined hands with the Opposition in pulling down the government.
In the 234-member House, the ruling AIADMK has a strength of 116 MLAs, excluding the Speaker. The DMK has 89 MLAs, with its allies Congress and IUML having eight seats and one seat, respectively. Dhinakaran is the only Independent.
However, following the split verdict, it is now status quo, with the 18 MLAs remaining disqualified but no bypolls till the third judge gives a judgment.
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