TN Speaker sets aside AIADMK plea for disqualification of MLA

Chennai, Oct 26 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker R Avudaiyappan has dismissed a petition filed by the Opposition AIADMK seeking to disqualify Party Legislator S V Shanmugham, who had openly praised Local Administration Minister M K Stalin, on charges of defection.

The petition was filed by Deputy Leader of the Opposition O Panneerselvam seeking disqualification of Mr Shanmugham under Paragraph 2 (1) (a) of the X Schedule of the Constitution on the ground he had indulged in anti-party activities outside the House by way of giving press statements and interviews.

The Speaker dismissed the petition as the annexures to it and each page had not been signed, verified and certified in the manner laid under Rule 6(6) and (7) of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on ground of defection) Rules 1986.

''The petition has to be dismissed in the first instance under Rule 7(2) which says if the petition does not comply with the requirements of Rule 6, the Speaker shall dismiss the petition.'' Referring to the demand for disqualification under Paragraph 2 (1) (a) of the X Schedule, the Speaker said Mr Shanmugham had neither resigned from his political party to which he belonged nor given any letter of his resignation.

''Moreover, he does not vote or abstain from voting in the House, contrary to the directions issued by his political party whip or leader of the Opposition or any other person authorised by it. As such Para 2 (1) (a) and (b) of the X Schedule will not be applicable for disqualification,'' he said.

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