Chennai, October 22: The AIADMK-led Tamil Nadu government faces a stability scare as 17 rebel legislations, on whose disqualification the Madras High Court will pronounce its order, have been herded at the Kutralam resort, on the outskirts of Chennai, by AMMK chief TTV Dinakaran.

The Madras HC bench, which has been hearing the case of rebel MLAs disqualification, is expected to pronounce the order by October-end. If the court upholds their disqualification, the government of E Palaniswami will continue to remain in power with 116 legislators, as the effective strength of the House would be reduced to 217, down from 234 at present. AIADMK 18 MLAs Disqualification Case: Supreme Court Appoints M Satyanarayana as Third Judge After Split Verdict.

However, if the court quashes the Speaker's disqualification order, the government would have to undertake a vote of confidence to establish its majority in the 234-member assembly.

According to Dinakaran, apart from the 17 MLAs who have openly sided with him, "at least a dozen more legislators" are ready to switch camps.

Dinakaran's victory in the RK Nagar assembly bypolls last year further deepened the cracks within the AIADMK ranks. The seat was last represented by late party matriarch J Jayalalithaa, who passed away in December 2016.

Dinakaran, who was the deputy chief of AIADMK following Jayalalithaa's death, was expelled from the party in April last year, shortly after the conviction of his aunt Sasikala in a disproportionate assets case. Sasikala, considered as the closest aide of Jayalalithaa, had taken over the party reigns following Amma's death. Her conviction, however, forced her to relinquish the post. Subsequently, the party has been jointly governed by Chief Minister Palaniswamy and former CM O Panneerselvam.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 22, 2018 04:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).