Chennai: The CPI (M) has welcomed interim stay passed by Supreme Court on the disqualification notice issued by Assembly Speaker P. Dhanapal to three AIADMK MLAs. The apex court, on a petition filed by legislators E. Rathinasabapathy (Aranthangi) and VT Kalaiselvan (Virudhachalam), on Monday passed the interim order and served notice to the Speaker to file reply the plea moved by the MLAs.
In a statement state secretary of CPI (M) K. Balakrishnan stated that Speaker had been continuously violating norms. The Speaker had disqualified 18 MLAs, who were loyal to TTV Dhinakaran. However, he failed to take action against 11 legislators, who were close to O. Panneerselvam. People knew that Speaker disqualified the 18 MLAs only to protect the minority AIADMK government. The Speaker failed to correct himself even after his action was vehemently criticized by everyone.
Under these circumstances, again Speaker issued notice to three AIADMK MLAs - E Rathinasabapathy, VT Kalaiselvan and A Prabhu (Kallakurichi), - for their alleged support to AMMK MLA TTV Dhinakaran.
The Speaker can disqualify Legislators only when they violate the orders of party whip. Only the party has power to take action against the MLAs for their action outside the Assembly. There is no provisions under law for the Speaker to take action against MLAs. Balakrishnan said "Speaker is violating the norms to protect the AIADMK government. He must protect and uphold the democratic values".
