Speaker to Decide Disqualification Petitions Against Four Former AIADMK MLAs in Two Months

Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar on Friday welcomed the Madras High Court’s recent judgment upholding his decision to accept the resignations of six AIADMK MLAs who later joined the ruling TVK. He also assured that he would decide on the disqualification petitions pending against four of them within two months, as stipulated by the court.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the first meeting of the Assembly Library Committee for 2026-27 in Chennai, the Speaker said that most of the work relating to the inquiries into the disqualification petitions had been completed. “Only another round of direct inquiry remains. Since additional time was sought, we granted it. In the meantime, the by-election was announced. As those involved in the case were engaged in election work, we could not summon them for the inquiry during that period. Now that the election is over and the results have been declared, the inquiry will proceed,” he said. He assured that he would announce his decision well within the two-month timeframe set by the court. The Speaker’s remarks suggest that the inquiry is nearing completion.

The Speaker also reflected on the High Court proceedings, saying, “Had the judges asked during the proceedings what the Speaker or the Assembly Secretariat officials had done in this matter, we could have provided a detailed account of how systematically we examined the disqualification petitions. We could have explained the dates on which notices were issued, when replies were received, and when the first round of direct inquiry was conducted with both sides.” This statement highlights the Speaker’s confidence in the thoroughness of the process followed by his office.

The case pertains to six AIADMK MLAs who resigned from the Assembly and later joined the ruling TVK. The Speaker accepted their resignations, a decision that was challenged in the Madras High Court. The court recently upheld the Speaker’s action, while directing him to decide on the disqualification petitions against four of the former MLAs within two months. The disqualification petitions are pending against four of the six former MLAs and relate to their decision to join the ruling TVK after resigning from the AIADMK. The legal challenge and the subsequent court directive have brought the issue into focus.

The Assembly Library Committee meeting, which was the first for the 2026-27 period, was held in Chennai. The Speaker’s remarks came after the meeting. The Madras High Court’s judgment and the Speaker’s assurance bring the focus back to the disqualification proceedings, which have been pending for some time. The Speaker has maintained that the delay was due to the by-election and the involvement of the parties in election work. With the election now over, the inquiry is expected to move forward swiftly.

The disqualification petitions are a matter of legal and political significance. The Speaker’s decision will be awaited by all political parties in the state. As the Speaker, Mr. Prabhakar is responsible for maintaining order and discipline in the Assembly, and his decision on the disqualification petitions will be closely scrutinised. The High Court’s directive to decide within two months ensures that the matter will be resolved without further delay. The Speaker’s assurance is seen as a step towards resolving the uncertainty surrounding the status of the four former MLAs. The outcome of the disqualification proceedings could have a bearing on the composition of the Assembly and the political dynamics in Tamil Nadu.