The Madras High court on Thursday ruled that there cannot be a floor test in the Tamil Nadu assembly to prove the majority of the Edappadi K Palaniswami government until September 20, according to media reports.
Rebel MLAs of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) led by TTV Dhinakaran had moved a plea in the Madras High Court seeking a floor test in the state assembly. The opposition party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam DMK, has also been demanding a floor test.
Thursday was the last day for the 19 dissidents MLAs to appear in person before Speaker P Dhanapal to give an explanation for the notice asking why they should not be disqualified for handing letters to the governor withdrawing support for the chief minister.
Times of India reported that Justice M Duraiswamy passed the order as the speaker informed the court that he was not in a position to tell whether he would pass orders in the disqualification proceedings against the 19 rebel MLAs before a floor test is conducted.
The MLAs revolted against Chief Minister Palaniswami on August 21, after a merger between the two AIADMK factions, one led by Palaniswami and the other by Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.