19 MLAs will stay in Pondicherry till Governer decides

Puducherry: Though TTV Dhinakaran cancelled his plans to visit this Union Territory to meet legislators supporting him owing to his “ill health”, the MLAs said they would continue to stay put here since they is no “safety for them” in Tamil Nadu where they will be “threatened and forced” to support the present regime.

The MLAs also alleged that the Edappadi K. Palaniswami government was indulging in “horse trading to buy MLAs” to their side.  

“Why can't they call for a general council meeting and prove their majority within the party? Let them call for a general body meeting, then we will know whose side the majority is,” Andipatti MLA Thanga Tamilselvan told reporters at the Windflower resort here.

Mr Tamilselvan said that the legislators supporting Dhinakaran had already submitted a memorandum to remove Palanisamy from the post and seeking a floor test to prove the majority. “We came here to prove the majority and strength. But the opposition camp is trying to place the MLAs supporting Dhinakaran in a bad light,” he alleged.

Though the political temperature was high outside, the 19 legislators seem to be enjoying the stay. The legislators went for a morning walk in the beach and were seen playing  seasaw. According to the reports, the booking has been made till Friday. However, P Vetrivel, another MLA supporting Dhinakaran, told reporters in Chennai that the legislators will continue to stay in Puducherry till the governor takes a call on their petition.

“There is no scurity in Tamil Nadu and the MLAs would be threatened if we stay there and hence, for reasons of security, we came to Puducherry, There are more legislators who are supporting Dhinakaran and we will hold talks with them after leaving Puducherry. We are not leading a luxurious life and we are staying using our own funds,”  R. Thangadurai, Nilakkottai legislator, said.

“We have no plans to topple the government and  the government of “Amma”  should continue. A leadership capable to serve the people and trustworthy is required for that. A general body meeting should be convened to prove majority,” said Periyakulam MLA Kadirgamu.

Pondy SSP visits Windflower Resort Puducherry: Senior Superintendent of Police Rajiv Ranjan visited the Windflower resort here and said the place was “peaceful” and there was “no law and order problem.”

“We want to check whether law and order situation is under control, nobody is above law. The law and order is in place and I could not find any offence (being committed). The place remains peaceful,” he said.

The inspection took place after leader of unified AIADMK, Om Sakthi Sekar, submitted a memorandum to the district Collector and SSP seeking to remove the legislators from Puducherry as it may lead to law and order problem.

Ranjan also said the sole purpose of his visit was to check whether law and order was in place. “It is a resort and anyone can visit,” he said when asked how many legislators were inside the resort.