Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao has expressed his inability to intervene in the political scenario concerning the AIADMK, saying the 19 ''rebel'' MLAs “continue to be AIADMK members”.

Rao came out with the stand after four Opposition parties, in a joint appeal, urged him to convene the Assembly immediately and order Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to seek a vote of confidence and resolve “the crisis in the ruling party” after 19 “rebel” MLAs withdrew their support to the Chief Minister.

After meeting Rao along with CPI State Secretary Mutharasan, CPI(M) State Secretary G Ramakrishnan and TMMK leader MH Jawahirullah, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan said, “The Governor told us he will not interfere [in the matter] as the 19 [rebel AIADMK] MLAs haven’t been expelled from the party nor joined another party.”

“I think the Governor is not ordering to convene the Assembly because the BJP cannot make gains if elections are held in six months,” he said.

According to Jawahirullah, the Governor told the leaders that the ball has not come to his court. In response, the leaders told him that the ball was firmly in his court.

Mutharasan said the leaders have decided to meet the President on August 31 on the issue. “If both Governor and President do not take any action, we will go to the people with this issue,” he added.

(This article was first published in www.thehindu.com)

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