Major relief for Palaniswami govt as Madras HC upholds disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs

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

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami. Photo: PTI

Chennai: The Madras High Court on Thursday upheld the decision of Tamil Nadu speaker in the case pertaining to disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs owing allegiance to rebel leader TTV Dhinakaran. The verdict has come as a major relief to Palaniswami government having 116 MLAs, as it continues to remain in majority after disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs as the new total strength of the house has been reduced to 216. Justice M Sathyanarayanan heard the pleas after a bench of then Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar gave a split verdict on the matter on June 14. 18 AIADMK MLAs were disqualified under anti-defection law: The 18 AIADMK MLAs were disqualified on September 18 last year under the anti-defection law after they met the Governor and expressed loss of confidence in Chief Minister K Palaniswami. In view of the split verdict with Indira Banerjee upholding the disqualification and Justice Sundar setting it aside, Justice S Vimala was appointed to hear the petitions afresh.

Welcome the HC verdict. Even if bypolls are announced for the 18 assembly seats, Amma's Govt will win all of them, rest of the things the EC has to decide: Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswami on Madras High Court upholds disqualification of 18 rebel AIADMK MLAs. pic.twitter.com/6kb7jRBnUs

— ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2018

This is a victory for dharma & a slap in the face of traitors & cheaters. Even if an appeal is filed, we are sure that truth only will win: Tamil Nadu Deputy Speaker Pollachi V Jayaraman on disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs upheld by Madras High Court pic.twitter.com/D3ifZceloQ

— ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2018

However, the apex court named Justice Sathyanarayanan, while declining to accept a prayer of the disqualified MLAs who raised apprehension of "bias" and sought to transfer the matter to the apex court.