MLA Moves Notice Seeking Removal of TN Assembly Speaker

Chennai, Oct 3 (PTI) Amid reports he might face disqualification proceedings, ruling AIADMK MLA S Karunaas, supporting ousted leader TTV Dhinakaran, has served a notice seeking removal of Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal for allegedly acting in a biased and partisan manner.

Karunaas, out on bail after recent arrest on charges of making provocative speech against chief minister K Palaniswami and the police, handed over the notice to Assembly Secretary K Srinivasan, his advocate S Azhagiri told PTI.

A film comedian and founder of caste-based outfit 'Mukkulathor Puli Padai', Karunaas sought to invoke Rule 68 of Tamil Nadu Assembly Rules providing for a resolution to be moved for removal of the speaker as laid down under Article 179(C) of the Constitution.

The move by the MLA comes amid reports that the ruling AIADMK was considering seeking disqualification of him and three other MLAs supporting AMMK leader Dhinakaran, who has been vowing to oust the Palanaiswami government.

Last year, on a plea by the AIADMK, the speaker had disqualified 18 MLAs loyal to Dhinakaran. The Madras High Court has recently reserved orders on a petition challenging the disqualifications.

According to rule 68, a member of the assembly wishing to move a resolution under clause (c) of Article 179 of the Constitution for removal of the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker shall do so in writing with the text of the resolution giving 14 days' notice to the Secretary with a copy to the Speaker.

In the notice, a copy of which was made available to the media, the MLA, who won on the AIADMK symbol in the 2016 elections, said he intended to move the resolution (for removal of Speaker) by giving 14 day's notice.

Karunaas requested Srinivasan to include the resolution in the list of business for the leave of the House.

In the proposed resolution, he alleged Dhanapal was not acting in accordance with the Constitutional and legal principles.

"He is acting in a biased and partisan manner while conducting the assembly proceedings as well as discharging his constitutional duties as a Speaker," Karunas submitted.

He also further claimed that there were numerous acts of Dhanapal demonstrating that he was not fit to hold the Office of the Speaker of the assembly.

"Moreover, he is also acting partisan and biased manner in the matters relating to the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution (anti-defection law)," he alleged.

Karunass further claimed that most of the MLAs in the state were affected by Dhanapal's "biased" activities and hence were in the common intention of removing the speaker from his office.

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