Tamil Nadu political crisis: Rebel AIADMK MLA Balakrishna Reddy supports EPS, submits apology letter amid turmoil in party

New Delhi: Amid growing factionalism within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and a series of resignations of rebel MLAs, Hosur MLA P Balakrishna Reddy on Tuesday extended support to party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, an indication that a truce may emerge within some sections of the party.According to news agency ANI, Balakrishna Reddy met the Assembly Secretary and submitted an apology letter saying that he should not be disqualified.His move comes a day after five AIADMK MLAs submitted similar apology letters to the Speaker’s office expressing support for the Palaniswami faction.The development comes as the AIADMK is facing a growing internal crisis following defection and resignations from the rival camp led by senior leaders C V Shanmugam and SP Velumani.

Rebel MLAs may be disqualified

MLAs from the Shanmugam faction had voted in favor of the ruling Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam government during the trust vote on May 13, triggering anti-defection proceedings.Under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, MLAs can face disqualification if they vote against their party’s instructions without prior permission.The AIADMK had earlier sought disqualification of 25 rebel MLAs for allegedly disobeying Palaniswami’s instructions during the trust motion.The party’s troubles further increased after Ambasamudram MLA Esakki Subaya resigned from the assembly on Tuesday. Speaker JCD Prabhakar initially rejected Subaya’s typed resignation letter and asked him to submit a handwritten copy, which was later accepted.With Subaya’s exit, the number of resignations from the AIADMK camp has increased to four in two days, reducing the party’s strength to 43 MLAs in the 234-member Assembly.

The issue of ‘horse-trading’ has intensified

On Monday, MLAs Maragatham Kumaravel, P Sathyabama and S Jayakumar resigned from the assembly and later joined the ruling TVK in the presence of minister Aadhav Arjun.The total number of vacant assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu has now increased to five, including Tiruchirapalli East, which was earlier vacated by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay after winning by two seats.27 AIADMK MLAs are now supporting Palaniswami, while 16 MLAs are aligned with the Velumani-Shanmugam camp.The resignations have triggered sharp political reactions, with Palaniswami accusing the ruling TVK of “horse-trading”.Meanwhile, former AIADMK leader and current Tamil Nadu minister KA Sengottaiyan held Palaniswami responsible for the exodus of party leaders.Sengottaiyan said, “AIADMK remained strong during the leadership of MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalitha. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami cannot be compared with them; that is why people and party members are moving away from AIADMK.”