Chennai, Sep 2 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu Assembly Secretariat is likely to respond on Wednesday to former Ambasamudram MLA Esakki Subaya’s request to withdraw his resignation, adding a fresh twist to the political turmoil that followed the recent change of government in the state.
Subaya submitted a letter to Assembly Secretary Shanthi on August 28, asking her not to act on the resignation he had tendered earlier. He said he wished to continue as the elected representative of Ambasamudram, though the Election Commission has already declared the constituency vacant and published a notification in the official gazette.
The development follows a split within the AIADMK after the Assembly election results. A group of its legislators acted against party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami and extended support to the TVK, which defeated the AIADMK and subsequently formed the government.
As the TVK initially lacked a clear majority, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay moved a confidence motion in the Assembly.
Defying the AIADMK leadership’s directive, 25 party legislators voted in support of the government. They included Dharapuram MLA S. Sathyabama, Ambasamudram MLA Isakki Subaya, Madurantakam MLA Maragatham Kumaravel and Perundurai MLA Jayakumar.
The four later abruptly resigned their Assembly seats and joined the TVK.
Palaniswami lodged a complaint with Speaker J.C.T. Prabhakar, seeking action against them under the anti-defection law. Their resignations, however, were accepted without delay, following which the Election Commission formally notified all four seats as vacant.
Palaniswami has also moved the Madras High Court against the four former legislators, and the case remains under consideration.
Meanwhile, the other AIADMK legislators who had defied the party reportedly apologised for their conduct.
Acting on Palaniswami’s request, the Speaker pardoned them and closed the proceedings. However, two of those granted relief — Viralimalai MLA Dr C. Vijayabaskar and Karur MLA M.R. Vijayabhaskar — resigned the following day and joined the TVK.
Assembly Secretariat sources said Subaya’s latest request may not be legally sustainable because his resignation has already been accepted and the vacancy formally notified.
Under election law, a byelection must be conducted for a constituency declared vacant. The Secretariat is expected to send its formal response to Subaya on Wednesday. Speaker Prabhakar may also address the media and clarify the legal and constitutional position surrounding the former MLA’s attempt to reclaim his seat before the proposed byelection process begins.
–IANS
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