Chennai: Amidst speculations that its MLAs are planning en masse resignation to force a Constitutional crisis, most of DMK leaders were against such an option which according to them would only facilitate the continuance of Edappadi K. Palaniswami government.
However, the meeting handed over full power to party president M.K. Stalin to take any decision. A resolution was passed expressing its consent to any decision taken by Stalin.
A meeting of DMK legislators presided over by its working president on Tuesday discussed its floor strategy ahead of the Madras high court hearing on its plea for floor test to the state and disqualification of 18 rebel MLAs.
The MLAs did not favour en masse resignation from the House. Although, there will be a Constitutional crisis, neither the BJP ruling the centre or the state government could be expected to respect the Constitution or take measures to safeguard it, one of the MLAs said.
The Governor's delay in not asking Palaniswami government to prove its strength in the Assembly itself is a pointer to the attitude of the BJP and the silence of the centre on the disqualification of the 18 rebels also showed that the BJP would not be worried about political integrity, ethics or Constitutional crisis, he said.
Since Palaniswami and his ministers too lacked sense of honour or ethical values, the state government could not be expected to resign, he said and added that en masse resignation would be futile exercise that would help Palaniswami government to stay in power for its full term. .
The DMK legislators discussed all the possibilities of the Madras High Court verdict including a stay to the disqualification of rebel MLAs and also the floor test till the final orders are given. The party expects the conflict to drag further in a division bench or the Supreme Court, even after a judgment by the single of the high court. However, the legislators are ready for any emergency situation, arising out of any court verdict.
The party resolution flayed Speaker P. Dhanapal for helping Palaniswami to misuse the anti-defection law to attain majority. The resolution also said the BJP government at the centre and Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao are responsible for the political crisis in the state.
Another resolution flayed the state police for sending police officials to Karnataka to avenge intra-party rivalry and condemned Chief Secretary Girija Vaidhyanathan for allocating government money for the functions of Palaniswami and other ministers who use it for political purposes. A meeting of Congress MLAs would be held on Wednesday to discuss its floor strategy. The national party is expected the toe the line of its regionally.
