Two AIADMK MLAs hail SC stay on disqualification proceedings

Hailing the Supreme Court decision to stay disqualification proceedings against them as a victory for democracy and justice, two AIADMK MLAs on Monday asserted that they have remained loyal to the party and have earned the wrath of its top leaders for expressing their views for the party's longevity. "Democracy and justice have won today," said E Rathinasabapathy, who has been accused of indulging in anti-party activities along with V T Kalaiselvan

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed disqualification proceedings against the MLAs who were served notice by the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker under the anti-defection law after their party accused them of siding with expelled AIADMK leader and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam founder T T V Dhinakaran.. "After the demise of Amma (former chief minister J Jayalalithaa), there was a lot of confusion in the party. We were united during the chaos.

"We were united even when the no-confidence motion was moved against Chief Minister K Palaniswami," Rathinasabapathy told reporters here. On April 30, A Prabhu (Kallakurichi), Kalaiselvan (Vriddhachalam)and E Rathinasabapathy (Aranthangi) were served the notices, seeking an explanation for allegedly siding with Dhinakaran. Two of the three MLAs had moved the Supreme Court, challenging the notices. The petitioners had sought directions prohibiting the Speaker from adjudicating the disqualification petition during the pendency of no-confidence motion against him.

Rathinasabapathi said he had earned the wrath of top rung AIADMK leaders only for expressing his views. "Amma's dream was for the AIADMK to continue to exist for another 100 years. We have been accused of indulging in-anti party activities just for expressing our ideas on what needs to be done for the party to survive that long," he said. Kalaiselvan, who was also present at the press meet, said the apex court judgement has saved democracy.

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