Dhinakaran meets Tamil Nadu Governor, seeks action against MLA defections and 'horse trading'
CHENNAI: Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran on Tuesday called on Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the Lok Bhavan here to press for action against alleged “horse trading” in the State legislature. The meeting lasted about 15 minutes, during which Dhinakaran reportedly reiterated the party's earlier representations to the Speaker and the police.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Dhinakaran said he had submitted a fresh representation to the Governor, pointing out that no action had been taken on two earlier complaints — one to Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar seeking disqualification of AMMK legislator S. Kamaraj, and another to the Guindy police station on May 8 regarding the practice of inducing elected representatives to switch parties.
The disqualification petition concerns Kamaraj, who was elected on an AMMK ticket but has been extending support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government, a move that goes against the AMMK's stated position in the Assembly. Dhinakaran argued that Kamaraj's conduct attracts the provisions of the anti-defection law, and urged the Governor to exercise his constitutional authority to ensure that democratic conventions are upheld.
“Horse trading” is a term commonly used in Indian politics to describe the practice of buying or pressuring legislators to defect from their parties in order to change the arithmetic of a legislature, often in favour of the ruling dispensation. The issue has been a recurring feature in Tamil Nadu, where coalition governments and narrow majorities have periodically given rise to such allegations.
The AMMK's complaint to the Guindy police on May 8 alleged that money was being offered to MLAs in exchange for their support to the ruling alliance. However, no formal complaint has been registered so far, and Dhinakaran said he had asked the Governor to direct the authorities concerned to look into the matter expeditiously.
The meeting assumes significance against the backdrop of the ongoing political realignment in the State, with the TVK-led government relying on the support of multiple parties and independent legislators. The AMMK, which secured a small number of seats in the last Assembly election, has been vocal in demanding that defections be dealt with strictly under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.
Governor Arlekar, who assumed office earlier this year, is yet to respond publicly to Dhinakaran's representation. Sources in the Raj Bhavan said the Governor had received the memorandum and would examine it within the framework of constitutional provisions.
Political observers note that the role of a Governor in such matters is largely discretionary, and that the primary authority to decide on disqualification petitions rests with the Speaker. However, the Governor can also act in cases involving a breakdown of constitutional machinery, though that is a separate provision.
Dhinakaran, a former AIADMK leader who founded the AMMK in 2018, has been critical of the way defections have been dealt with in recent years. He had earlier come out against what he termed a “culture of political corruption” and has repeatedly called for stringent measures to preserve the integrity of elected bodies.
The AMMK's move comes at a time when the ruling coalition has denied any allegations of horse trading, stating that its government enjoys a clear majority through legitimate support. With the disqualification petition pending before the Speaker, the coming weeks are likely to see further legal and political developments on the issue.
