Upset over loosening grip over the ruling AIADMK, Dinakaran, nephew of party general secretary VK Sasikala, sought to replace Chief Minister Palaniswami, who has dumped Sasikala loyalists for O Panneerselvam-led faction, with the support of 22 dissident MLAs.
A delegation of MLAs belonging to DMK-led Opposition on Sunday called on Governor Vidyasagar Rao at Raj Bhavan here and urged him to direct Chief Minister EK Palaniswami to prove his majority on the floor of the House, even as the rebellion in the AIADMK reached new low with sidelined party deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran 'sacking' Palaniswami from a party post.
Upset over loosening grip over the ruling AIADMK, Dinakaran, nephew of party general secretary VK Sasikala, sought to replace Chief Minister Palaniswami, who has dumped Sasikala loyalists for O Panneerselvam-led faction, with the support of 22 dissident MLAs.
The DMK said it would be forced to approach President Ram Nath Kovind, or even move the court if the Governor fails to act in time. The party has been demanding a floor test ever since 19 dissident AIADMK MLAs loyal to Dinakaran met Governor on August 21 withdrawing their support to the government. The number of dissident MLAs has gone up to 22 thereby reducing the Palaniswami government to a minority as it enjoys a support of 113 MLAs which is four short of the magic number of 117 required for the majority.
Opposition parties' delegation comprised of deputy opposition leader Duraimurugan, DMK's Rajya Sabha MPs Kanimozhi and RS Bharathi, Congress whip S Vijayadharani and IUML MLA KAM Mohammed Abubacker. "We gave the figures showing that the government enjoys the support of only 113 MLAs. The Governor said only 19 MLAs had given letters, but we told him that three more have joined our ranks," said Duraimurugan. Rao assured them that he would scrutinise the matter and take appropriate action, he told reporters emerging from the Raj Bhavan.
Meanwhile, addressing a function near Tiruvarur on Sunday, Stalin said his party might have to approach President Kovind and later the court to "protect democracy" if suitable action was not initiated by Rao. Stalin and Congress legislative party leader K R Ramasamy had written to Governor seeking floor test.
Ahead of the crucial meeting of MLAs, MPs and office-bearers called by the ruling AIADMK on Monday to decide on convening the general council to formally oust Sasikala, Dinakaran on Sunday removed Palaniswami from the Salem Suburban district secretary post. However, there was no word on Palaniswami's headquarters secretary post. Tourism Minister Vellamandi Natarajan dismissed Dinakaran's action, saying he should be admitted in a mental asylum. "During the RK Nagar by poll, Dinakaran did not use the picture of Sasikala. Now he is talking about Sasikala for sake of power," he said.
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