Even as the AIADMK is placed in a precarious position because of the internal wrangling between various party factions, Chief Minister Edappady Palaniswamy and four of his Cabinet colleagues face the prospect of disqualification as the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday asked the Chief Minister to explain why he did not question the Ministers who had called on the jailed AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala in prison to discuss issues facing the Government.
A division bench consisting of Justices KK Sasidharan and GR Swaminathan issued notice to the CM asking to explain why he did not seek explanation from Ministers KA Senogottaiyan, Dindigul Srinivasan, Kamaraj and Sellur K Raju who had called on Sasikala in the Parappana Agrahara Prison to discuss governmental issues.
The court also issued notices to the four Ministers asking them to file their replies why they should not be disqualified as Ministers for violating the constitutional provisions and met a convict undergoing sentence in connection with a graft charge. The Chief Minister and the Ministers were asked to submit their replies to the court by August 7.
The HC notices are in response to a public interest litigation filed by Anbazhagan, son of former AIADMK strongman late Thamaraikani. The petitioner contended that the CM has not questioned the four Ministers over their impropriety in calling on jailed Sasikala.
Anbazahagan contented that the action of the Ministers visiting the jailed Sasikala amounted to violation of the oath taken by them as Ministers and he pleaded with the court to disqualify them and the CM.
The petitioner also pointed out that AIADMK spokesman Gowri Shankar had told a TV channel that the Government would be run on advice and guidance by Sasikala. “No Ministers or party seniors had negated this statement which is anti-Constitutional,” he said.
He brought to the attention of the court that even the four Ministers had made it known that they consulted Sasikala for guidance and advice. “This is also a gross violation of the Constitution which is sufficient enough to disqualify the Chief Minister and the four Ministers,” said Anbazhagan.
Sasikala has been sentenced to four years imprisonment in the Disproportionate Asset case. late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa too was a prime accused in the case and was saved the ignominy of a jail sentence because of her untimely death.