AIADMK MLAs' disqualification LATEST updates: MK Stalin says 'democracy must be safeguarded', expects by-elections soon

'Democracy must be safeguarded, elections should be held soon', says MK Stalin

13 MLAs present at the resort, more expected to reach soon 

There are now 13 MLAs present at the Esakki High View Resort owned by AIADMK MLA Esakki Subbaiah. The rest are expected to arrive soon, including dismissed Vilathikulam MLA Uma Maheswari who is on her way. Further 3 serving MLAs who have expressed their support for TTV have also arrived at the resort, taking the total to 16.

Input by Mydeen Abdul Kadar/101Reporters

We will contest in all 18 constituencies and win, says EPS

We will contest in all 18 constituencies and we will win. We are ready to face general elections also as we are the third largest party in the Parliament but this verdict does not have a bearing on the general elections, chief minister E Palaniswami said.

AIADMK spokesperson says EPS govt has proved 'stability', party will emerge victorious in elections

AIADMK spokesperson P Valarmathi expressed joy over the verdict and said the Palaniswami government has now proved its "stability". "We are very happy...this is a just order," Valarmathi told PTI.
   

When asked about the disqualified MLAs' plea to hold by-elections in their constituencies, she said the party was ready and expressed confidence that the ruling party will emerge victorious in all the 20 seats.

'No infirmity in Speaker's decision' observes the third judge Justice Sathyanarayanan

If the 18 MLAs decide to go to the Supreme Court, we will go: TTV Dhinakaran 

"If the 18 MLAs decide to go to the Supreme Court, we will go; or else we will wait for the by polls. But whenever elections happen, we will win," TTV Dhinakaran told the media after the Madras HC verdict which upheld the disqualification of the 18 AIADMK MLAs.

TTV Dhinakaran says 'we are ready for both a higher appeal and elections', 18 MLAs to take the final decision 

TTV Dhinakaran told the media that he was expecting a favourable decision but now the final decision will be taken after consultations with the 18 MLAs and the future course of action will be decided soon.

"The decision of the 18 MLAs will stand valid whether they want a higher appeal in the Supreme Court or if they want to participate in the upcoming elections. We are ready for everything," he told reporters outside the court. 

Madras HC upholds disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs

The Madras High Court on Thursday upheld the Speaker's decision to disqualify the 18 rebel AIADMK MLAs.

TTV Dhinakaran reaches court; verdict expected soon

There is heavy security deployment outside the court and TTV Dhinakaran has reportedly entered the court premises. The verdict is expected in next 10 minutes.

EPS skips event ahead of Madras HC hearing, meets law minister

Chief minister E Palaniswami has cancelled all his engagements prior to the crucial hearing. He skipped an event on Thursday and met the Law Minister instead, CNN News18 reported.

AIADMK had rubbished TTV Dhinakaran's claims

However, the AIADMK had put aside Dhinakaran's claims and said that the former AIADMK leader was trying to “fish in troubled waters.” AIADMK spokesperson RM Babu Murugavel was quoted as saying by PTI, “Dhinakaran is trying to fish in troubled waters. He and his aides will say anything to stay relevant. He is perhaps doing this to keep his flock together in the context of the case regarding disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs.”

Tamil Nadu govt could fall if MLAs supporting TTV Dinakaran vote against E Palaniswami

If the disqualification of the 18 MLAs is set aside, the Assembly strength would go up to 232 and with 116 legislators, the AIADMK would run one short of the simple majority of 117.

MLAs likely to remain holed up in a resort in Courtallam until the verdict comes out

According to several media reports, the rebel MLAs barring P Vetrivel are likely to remain holed up at a resort in Courtallam until the verdict comes out. The decision to shift the disqualified legislators came just hours after TTV Dhinakaran met Sasikala at the Bengaluru prison amid reports that the E Palanisami and O Panneerselvam government is trying to poach the MLAs loyal to Dhinakaran.

More AIADMK MLAs pledge support to TTV Dinakaran

By-polls to be held if disqualification verdict is upheld; EPS govt will face a floor test otherwise

If the verdict upholds the disqualification, by-elections will be held on all the seats that would be vacant and it would a big test for the AIADMK government, whose popularity has been on the decline since the demise of J Jayalalithaa, as seen from the outcome of the RK Nagar bypoll in 2017.

However, if the Speaker’s decision to disqualify the MLAs is reversed, the EPS government would plunge into a minority and it would have to face a floor test.

MLAs moved court against being disqualified under anti-defection law; had expressed no-confidence in Palaniswami

18 AIADMK MLAs were disqualified for “anti-party activities” in 2017 for supporting the Sasikala-Dhinakaran faction by P Dhanapal, the Speaker of the House, under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution (anti-defection law) after they expressed a lack of confidence in chief minister E Palaniswami.

The MLAs later moved a petition in the HC challenging the Speaker’s decision following which the court restrained the Election Commission from declaring their seats vacant.

Fate of 18 MLAs to be decided in Madras Hight Court at 10.30 am today

The fate of the 18 MLAs who faced disqualification for their dissent against Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswami depends on the verdict of Justice M Sathyanarayanan of the Madras High Court who is going to deliver the verdict at 10.30 am on Thursday.