Thambidurai meets Governer Ch Vidyasagar Rao, says none can topple govt

Chennai: Rubbishing allegation of horse-trading involving the ruling party legislators ahead of the February 18 trust vote in the Assembly, senior AIADMK Amma leader and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M. Thambidurai said the government will complete its full term and that no one can topple it.

His assertion comes a day after DMK working president M. K. Stalin called on Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao here and sought the dissolution of the Assembly and CBI probe into the allegations of horse trading.

Denying the need for an enquiry into the alleged cash for trust vote ‘expose,’ the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker, said, “nowhere in the country, MLAs were bribed to support any party.” Speaking to reporters after calling on the Governor here on Sunday, he said, “no one can topple the present government in Tamil Nadu” and that “it is functioning smoothly to realise the dreams of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.”

Describing his meeting with Mr Vidyasagar Rao as a “courtesy call” Mr Thambidurai said voting against the party would make the party whip strip the legislators of their Assembly membership and hence there was no scope for a bargain.

“When that is the case, giving money to MLAs can never happen,” he said and dismissing the charge of payoffs to the legislators in support for the trust vote.

After the anti-defection law came into force, “no MLA can go out of the party,” Thambidurai added. To a question, he replied, “there is no need for CBI inquiry as demanded by DMK working president M.K. Stalin as MLA Saravanan himself has denied the charges.” Accusing Stalin of trying to topple the government, he said, “Stalin is dreaming of becoming Chief Minister through various means. This will not happen.” Thambidurai’s visit assumed significance as it came at a time when the DMK is raising the issue of alleged payoffs to MLAs, following a ‘sting’ operation by a TV channel, and pressing for a fresh trust vote.