DMK cancels MLAs' huddle on floor test

Chennai: With status quo prevailing after the Madras High Court adjourned the cases related to a floor test in the Assembly and the disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs to October 4, the meeting of DMK MLAs, which had been called to discuss party strategy, was cancelled.

The party has nothing to discuss since the case had not progressed further and the floor test cannot be taken for another two weeks. As the petition related to the disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs owing allegiance to its deputy general secretary TTV Dhinakaran had been kept pending, the DMK has nothing to do except wait for the next hearing and a verdict on its petition and that of 18 legislators.

DMK working president M.K. Stalin had stated that his party would make an announcement about its next move after the high court verdict. The party was preparing for a big agitation if the court verdict went against it, he had warned.

The DMK will be compelled to keep its MLAs away from any big protests for another two weeks as that could land them in prison for many days and keep them away from the Assembly. The party had restricted itself to activities like public meetings and protest demonstrations against Neet, so that the party MLAs remain outside to take part in a floor test at any time.

The meeting of DMK MLAs held on Monday had given party working president M.K. Stalin the power to take any decision. A resolution was passed expressing consent to any decision by Stalin.

DMK will be waiting patiently for further erosion of Palaniswami's flock in the next two weeks, since AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran is expected to make attempts to bring a few more MLAs to his side as he will not have to worry about protecting his flock. Since the disqualification of 18 MLAs had been officially notified, there is no procedural avenue left for the ruling camp to bring anyone back and the scope for drawing back MLAs is negligible, feel DMK functionaries.