Tamil Nadu Speaker summons Palaniswami, four ex-MLAs for anti-defection hearing on July 30

Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar has directed AIADMK general secretary and floor leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, along with four former AIADMK MLAs facing disqualification proceedings, to appear before him on July 30, 2026, for further clarifications.

The four former MLAs — Maragatham Kumaravel (Maduranthagam), P. Sathyabama (Dharapuram), S. Jeyakumar (Perundurai), and Esakki Subaya (Ambasamudram) — are accused of defying the party whip during a trust vote in the Assembly. The disqualification petition under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution was filed by Mr. Palaniswami on May 13 after 25 rebel AIADMK MLAs voted in favour of the government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

Subsequently, Mr. Palaniswami condoned 21 of the 25 MLAs, while the four named individuals resigned from the Assembly and joined the TVK. During the inquiry into the petition, the four former MLAs appeared before the Speaker separately on two occasions and submitted oral and written explanations for their conduct.

The Speaker, after reviewing the explanations, sought further clarifications from Mr. Palaniswami, who submitted his response through AIADMK leaders. Now, the Speaker has called both sides to appear on July 30 to seek additional clarifications before proceeding with the disqualification matter.

According to the letter from Assembly Secretary R. Santhi, the four former MLAs are to appear individually between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., with 30 minutes allotted to each. Mr. Palaniswami has been asked to be present during the same period for further clarifications.