Chennai: Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker JCT Prabhakar has accepted the resignations of three AIADMK MLAs—Maragatham Kumaravel, Sathyabama and Jayakumar.
Speaking to reporters, the Speaker said an MLA is not required to mention any reason while submitting a resignation. He added that if the letter clearly states the member is stepping down from the post from that day, it can be accepted in line with the rules.
Citing Assembly Rule 21, Prabhakar said a member who wishes to resign must submit a written and signed intimation in the prescribed format to the Speaker. As the three letters met this requirement, he said he accepted them immediately.
He also said petitions alleging “party switching and voting” are under his consideration and that action would be taken as per rules at the appropriate time. Responding to questions about letters submitted by five AIADMK MLAs, he said he is yet to fully examine whether they are apology letters and would announce a decision after reviewing them.
Prabhakar further clarified that no resignation sent by post would be accepted, and that only letters submitted in person and written by hand would be considered. He added that he is examining the issue of who the AIADMK whip is, noting there is no fixed deadline and that he would decide strictly as per law and Assembly rules.
