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Tamil Nadu floor test: As it happened

If Palanisamy passes the floor test, it will mean an end to the political drama that has been plaguing Tamil Nadu since the illness and subsequent death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

Updated: February 20, 2017 10:35 AM IST

By Srividhya Iyer

Tamil Nadu floor test: As it happened

Chennai, February 18: Newly sworn in Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Edappadi Palanisamy will today face a crucial floor test on the floor of the Legislative Assembly that will decide his ability to continue in the post. Palanisamy will require the support of a minimum 115 MLAs.

As of now, the total number of dissidents, including former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam total 11. The AIADMK whip, S. Rajendiran, has asked that all party MLAs to attend the Assembly and vote in favour of the Chief Minister. The balloting will, however, be open and not secret.

Meanwhile, Pannerselvam had yesterday asked that the MLAs not to cast their votes under pressure. Speaking yesterday, he had said, “Amma continuously worked to see that family rule doesn’t enter Tamil politics, till her last she worked to achieve this goal. I reiterate to AIADMK MLAs, please think wisely before casting your vote tomorrow. Don’t buckle under pressure. Please vote against the trust vote and safeguard the interests of Amma.”

Some MLAs both from within the AIADMK and the Opposition DMK have decided to bypass the floor test. Prime among them is DMK president and Thiruvarur MLA M. Karunanidhi. Coimbatore’s AIADMK MLA Arun Kumar has also decided to boycott the floor test.

If Palanisamy passes the floor test, it will mean an end to the political drama that has been plaguing Tamil Nadu since the illness and subsequent death of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. It will also mark an end to the ongoing fight between Amma’s best friend, Sasikala Natarajan and her chosen Chief Minister, O. Panneerselvam.

Sasikala, who is currently under imprisonment, will be continuing her reign from Bangalore’s Parappana Agrahara Central Prison if Palanisamy manages to secure a win. Sasikala Natarajan was on Tuesday convicted in a disproportionate assets case by the Supreme Court of India. Her request for some time before serving the sentence was denied by the apex court that said, “You know the meaning of the word immediately. We do not intend to pass any order on this. We are not going to change anything in the judgement.”

 Stay with us as we bring to you the latest updates from the floor test in Tamil Nadu’s Assembly.

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