Madras HC upholds Tamil Nadu Speaker’s decision of disqualifying 18 AIADMK MLAs

The Madras High Court on Thursday upheld the disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs, owing allegiance to rebel leader T T V Dhinakaran.

The court verdict means that by-elections will be held on all the 18 seats that would be vacant.

The 18 AIADMK MLAs were disqualified on September 18 last year under the anti-defection law after they met the Governor and expressed the loss of confidence in Chief Minister K Palaniswami.

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.

"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 said

"Madras HC verdict has taught the correct lesson to its traitors and that democracy has won," tweets AIADMK official Twitter handle.

Earlier on June 14, the first bench of the court passed a split verdict, with the then Chief Justice Indira Banerjee upholding the decision of the Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal in disqualifying the MLAs under the anti-defection law. 

The second judge, Justice M Sundar differed and set aside the disqualification order the Speaker on the grounds of non-compliance with principles of natural justice and violation of constitutional mandate.