AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami alleged that Vijay formed the TVK government by luring some members with promises of ministerial berths and board appointments.
At least 25 AIADMK MLAs supported the Vijay-led TVK government during the floor test on Wednesday, with rebel legislator CV Shanmugam questioning the election of Edappadi K Palaniswami as the Legislative Party Leader.
Addressing mediapersons after the floor test, Shanmugam confirmed that 25 MLAs extended their support to the ruling TVK.
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He, however, rejected AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami’s claim that 47 MLAs signed a resolution not to support TVK during the floor test.
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Shanmugam also claimed that a meeting of the party MLAs to elect the assembly leader, deputy leader and whip was never held, noting that C Vijaya Bhaskar was the Chief Whip in the Assembly.
He said that the party whip cannot be appointed directly by the party’s general secretary. Earlier, EPS had announced Krishnamoorthy’s appointment as the chief whip of AIADMK.
“The Speaker has the power to decide on who has the majority and who can be the AIADMK Assembly leader, deputy leader and whip,” the rebel AIADMK leader said.
He also accused EPS of having given the Governor a “forged” letter.
“EPS is lying on the issue of the signature of 47 MLAs on the resolution not to support TVK. When did the 47 MLAs sign this resolution, as claimed by EPS? He cannot claim this as no such meeting on a resolution took place. The letter given by EPS to the Speaker was forged,” he said.
Earlier today, Palaniswami said that Krishnamoorthy’s appointment as the Chief Whip was conveyed to all MLAs.
“However, a few former ministers who were elected as MLAs issued statements that amounted to betraying the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and violating political discipline. Even after being informed of our stand, they announced that they would support the ruling government. This is entirely against the law,” he said.
He alleged that Vijay formed the TVK government by luring some members with promises of ministerial berths and board appointments.
“This government was formed by luring some members with promises of ministerial posts and board appointments. Those members have now extended support to the resolutions brought by the Chief Minister,” said Palaniswami.
He also slammed the rebels, saying they have betrayed the party, and their support to TVK is against the law and justice.
“AIADMK’s 47 MLAs who won in the Assembly elections were elected under the “Two Leaves” symbol. Instead of remaining loyal to the party, they have betrayed it. Their desire to become ministers has led them to act against the party leadership’s directives. This is against both the law and justice. Something unprecedented in the history of Tamil Nadu is happening now. It is disappointing that such developments are taking place within Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam right at the very beginning,” he added.
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