The week beginning on Monday September 18 is going to be crucial for the beleaguered Tamil Nadu Government. TTV Dinakaran, the rebel AIADMK leader, has declared that the Government led by Edappadi Palaniswami would fall by September 22. Dinakaran and the 19 MlAs owing allegiance to him are expected to call on VK Sasikala, the jailed leader of the party on Monday for discussing the future course of action.
The Madras High Court will issue orders on September 20 on the petition filed by the DMK for an early trust vote in the House in the backdrop of the withdrawal of support to the Government by the 19 AIADMK MlAs. The court had asked the Speaker not to convene the House before September 20. In another development, the Speaker has set the process of disqualifying the 19 rebel MlAs from the House following their meeting with the Governor to hand over letters withdrawing support to the Chief Minister.
That the Speaker would opt for a collision course with the Court on the fate of the rebel MlAs was made known on Thursday when the Madras High Court asked the Advocate General whether the former would disqualify them. “The Speaker is the ultimate authority of the legislative Assembly. Court cannot interfere in the Assembly proceedings,” the Speaker intimated the court through the AG.
He also intimated the court that the process for disqualifying the MlAs has been set in motion and action would be taken against the MlAs.
The Madras High Court will also deliver its verdict on the fate of the DMK MlAs who too face the possibility of disqualification on charges of displaying Ghutka packets in the House. Elsewhere in the State, a series of agitations against the NEET and the Neduvasal Hydrocarbon projects have been planned by the opposition.
The Opposition suffered a setback as the agitating Government employees called off their indefinite agitation following public outcry and strictures by the Madras HC.