india

Updated: Apr 27, 2019 00:56 IST

Tamil Nadu assembly speaker P Dhanapal on Friday initiated the process of disqualifying three more members of the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) from the House in addition to the 18 who have already lost their membership for defecting to a breakaway group.

Though speaker Dhanapal is yet to issue notices to A Prabhu, V Rathinasabapathy and VT Kalaiselvan , people aware of the developments say discussions with legal experts are on about how many days should be given to them for their explanations.

The speaker’s action follows a complaint filed against the three legislators by government whip S Rajendran charging them with acting against the party and the government headed by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami earlier in the day.

Eighteen legislators have been disqualified for switching their allegiance to the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), a party established by TTV Dhinarakan, who founded it with rebels from the ruling party. By-elections for the 18 assembly constituencies took place on April 18 with polls to 38 of state’s 39 Lok Sabha seats. Commenting on the start of disqualification proceedings, Dhinakaran’s lieutenant, Thanga Tamilselvan, described the move as a panic reaction by the AIADMK.