Chennai, May 28 (IANS). AIADMK MP Dhanapal has demanded a detailed inquiry into the resignation of four party MLAs. These MLAs later joined the ruling party ‘Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam’ (TVK). Dhanapal has alleged that large-scale money transactions could be behind these defections.
In a post on social media platform X, Dhanapal claimed that the TVK government did not have an independent majority. The sudden resignation of four MLAs soon after the new government assumed power has raised serious doubts.
He alleged that there is suspicion of large-scale money transaction in the case of defection. In this matter, he appealed to the Central Government to order a CBI investigation to protect democracy. He also asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to keep a close watch on these developments.
The statement comes at a time when the two rival factions of the AIADMK are reportedly moving towards reuniting, after weeks of internal turmoil, defections and political uncertainty.
According to party sources, leaders of both factions are expected to submit a letter to Speaker JCD Prabhakar in which they will announce withdrawal of their earlier support given to the ruling TVK government during the trust vote.
The move is expected to bring a significant change in the opposition’s position in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Due to the crisis in the party after the elections, AIADMK was divided into two main factions. One faction, led by senior leader CV Shanmugam, initially has the support of 25 MLAs. At the same time, the faction led by former Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) had the support of 22 MLAs.
The strength of the Shanmugam faction has weakened significantly in recent weeks. Four MLAs- K. Maragatham Kumaravel, P. Satyabhama, S. Jayakumar and Dr. C. Isaki Subbiah, resigned from the party and later joined the ruling TVK.
Apart from this, P Haribhaskar, SM Sukumar, D Jaishankar, NSN Natarajan, K. Six MLAs, including Mohan and P. Balakrishna Reddy, returned to the EPS camp, reducing the strength of the opposition faction to 15 MLAs.
Amid growing concerns over the party’s weakening position, several senior AIADMK leaders met EPS at his residence on Greenways Road in Chennai to discuss possibilities of reconciliation.
According to sources, the Shanmugam faction had initially demanded restoration of party posts and formation of a high-level coordination committee to take collective decisions within the party.
However, according to reports the EPS rejected both the demands and instead urged the opposition camp to withdraw the complaints lodged with the Speaker against the party leadership.
–IANS
PSK/VC
