Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker Prabhakar on Monday questioned four former AIADMK MLAs who resigned their seats and later joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), following a complaint seeking action under anti-defection provisions.
The former legislators—Jeyakumar (Perundurai), Maragatham Kumaravel (Madurantakam), Sathyabama (Dharapuram) and Isakki Subbiah (Ambasamudram)—had earlier voted in the Assembly in support of the TVK government before stepping down as MLAs and quitting the AIADMK.
Acting on a representation from the AIADMK side led by general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the Speaker had directed both sides to appear at his Secretariat office on August 4. The four former MLAs appeared, while AIADMK MLAs Agri Krishnamurthy and Thalavaisundaram represented Palaniswami.
The Speaker sought clarifications from both sides and recorded their submissions in audio and video. Those present were asked to appear again for further questioning.
With the Assembly budget session set to begin, the inquiry is said to resume after the session concludes. The AIADMK has also urged action in similar cases involving former MLAs M.R. Vijayabaskar (Karur) and C. Vijayabaskar (Viralimalai), who resigned and joined TVK.
