TN Speaker defends accepting three AIADMK MLAs’ resignations

Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J C D Prabhakar has told the Madras High Court that the acceptance of resignations by three former AIADMK MLAs was valid and free of legal infirmities. The Speaker filed an affidavit in response to a petition by party whip Agri S S Krishnamurthy, who challenged the acceptance of resignations of S Jayakumar, Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama.

In his affidavit, Prabhakar said the three MLAs submitted handwritten resignation letters, and their conduct gave him no indication of coercion. He said he asked each whether their decision was voluntary, and each affirmed it was. He concluded no further inquiry was needed, and accepted the resignations under Article 190 of the Constitution and Rule 22 of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Rules.

The first bench of Chief Justice S A Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan posted further hearing to September 1.