Is the AIADMK trying to reduce the TN assembly number?

The privilege committee of the Tamil Nadu assembly issued notices to eight DMK MLAs on Friday for the February 18 ruckus. Based on a complaint filed by AIADMK MLA Vetrivel, the privilege committee issued showcase notices to the MLAs for alleged 'misconduct'. The action comes on the backdrop of AIADMK trying to gather its strength in the assembly.

The Edappadi Palanisamy-led government in Tamil Nadu is cautious when it comes to their numbers in the assembly. The AIADMK is a split house with 122 MLAs on Palanisamy's side and 12 on Panneerselvam's side. The mounting pressure from the opposition has become a cause of concern for the government. The current house strength stands at 234 with one speaker, one deputy speaker and one nominated member. Jayalalithaa's seat is vacant after her demise. The AIADMK is divided into factions and a united opposition is a threat.

O Panneerselvam, who currently enjoys the support of 12 MLAs is confident of getting more legislators on his side and this very confidence has become a nightmare for the Sasikala Natarajan camp. While the MLAs who were lodged in a resort and voted for Palanisamy vow to stand by him, MLAs who took a neutral stand, such as Coimbatore North MLA PRG Arunkumar joining the Panneerselvam camp, has forced the Sasikala faction to be alert on camp shifting.

With 89 legislators in the house, the DMK is vying to utilise the de-stability that the AIADMK fears. Along with the DMK are eight legislators of the Congress, and one from the IUML. Palanisamy's MLAs still make a majority in the house but speculation, if the notices issued to DMK MLAs are only to ensure their majority in the house, is rife.

OneIndia News