Tamil Nadu speaker drops disqualification for 21 AIADMK MLAs

The Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker has cleared 21 opposition legislators of potential disqualification for supporting the government in a crucial confidence vote last month, while launching proceedings against four others who resigned and joined the ruling party. Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar announced the decision on Tuesday, June 9, following a formal request from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leadership.

The move resolves a major internal crisis for the AIADMK, which had sought the disqualification of 25 of its 47 Members of the Legislative Assembly after they defied a party whip. The legislators voted in favor of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay during a trust motion on May 13. That support boosted the ruling coalition's tally in the 234-seat assembly.

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami initially filed a complaint seeking action under the anti-defection law. He later submitted a letter to the Speaker withdrawing the complaint against 21 of the MLAs, stating he had condoned their actions after they apologized. Prabhakar said that, in accordance with assembly rules, he decided to drop the...