MK Stalin to explore no-confidence motion

Chennai: Amidst hectic activities in the three AIADMK factions, DMK working president M.K. Stalin will return to Tamil Nadu on August 20 after a week's visit to London and begin consultations with party colleagues and legal experts on moving a no-confidence motion against the Edappadi K. Palaniswami government.

After Stalin left for London, political activities and picked up in the AIADMK camp. The factions of Palaniswami and former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam had stepped up merger talks and the conflict between faction headed by AIADMK (Amma) deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran and Palaniswami group is intensifying.

The political happenings in the week have brought cheers to the DMK camp, which feel that a merger of the two factions would leave Dhinakaran with no option except bringing down the government.

At the moment, Dhinakaran's supporters are coming out with threats that they would change the Chief Minister and bring a new one. After Dhinakaran held consultations with his supporters on Saturday, one of his followers and former minister P. Palaniappan candidly said they would change the Chief Minister if the latter decided to remove party general secretary V.K. Sasikala from her post.

But, changing the Chief Minister would become a uphill task if the two factions come together and Dhinakaran's camp would be compelled to consider toppling the government if his family must be relevant in the party and government, DMK functionaries feel.

One of the district functionaries said he was not aware of any meeting between Stalin and anyone from Dhinakaran's camp. "The DMK wants to bring down the government only for people's welfare. Our leader will do so in a democratic manner and will not resort to unfair practices", he said.

Palaniswami government will complete six months in office on August 20. But, the DMK is not certain if a no-confidence motion could be forced immediately, since the Assembly is not in session. The next Assembly session is expected only in December. Even if a notice for the motion is submitted to the Speaker, it will not be mandatory for him to convene the Assembly immediately.

However, if Dhinakaran met Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao with the 20 MLAs supporting him and conveyed to the latter that the legislators would withdraw support to Palaniswami government, the Governor as per rules order the Chief Minister to prove his majority in the floor within a specific time. Stalin is expected to take a decision after consulting party leaders and legal experts.