Tamil Nadu has been witnessing resort politics ever since the demise of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa in 2016
The disqualified AIADMK MLAs took a holy dip at Thamirabarani Pushkaram in Tirunelveli district on Tuesday after moving to a resort at Courtallam as the Madras High Court verdict in the case relating to their disqualification approaches.
After taking a holy dip on the last day of the Thamirabarani Maha Pushkaram, Thanga Tamil Selvan, one of the disqualified MLAs and a close associate of TTV Dhinakaran denied that the disqualified MLAs and three sitting MLAs were moved to Courtallam out of fear that they will desert to the ruling AIADMK after the verdict.
He said the two-day trip was a break and a chance to take part in the Pushkaram and not a result of a 'push' from anyone. "We will take a holy dip at Papanasam for the sinful government to come to an end and for a corruption-free government to blossom in the state under Dhinakaran," he said.
The MLAs are to return to Chennai from a party functionary's resort in Courtallam, on Thursday.
Amid reports that it was an attempt by Dhinakaran to keep his flock together, his close associate P Vetrivel asserted that there was no problem and the 17 disqualified MLAs and three ruling MLAs were likely to stay there for some more time. "There is no problem at all...," Vetrivel, who is among the 18 disqualified MLAs, said, adding he would also join his party colleagues.
The Madras High Court has reserved orders on their petitions challenging their disqualification by the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal in September last year for alleged anti-party activities.
Tamil Nadu has been witnessing resort politics ever since the demise of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa in December 2016. After the rebellion by O Panneerselvam in February last year, the MLAs owing allegiance to VK Sasikala-led AIADMK faction were moved to Koovathur resort on the outskirts of Chennai. When Panneerselvam merged his faction with chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami's group, Sasikala's nephew, Dhinakaran took 19 MLAs supporting them to Puducherry first and then to Coorg, after submitting a memorandum seeking a change of chief minister.
Resort Politics
Tamil Nadu has been witnessing resort politics ever since the demise of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa in 2016
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