TTV Dhinakaran claims the support of 19 lawmakers of AIADMK.
TTV Dhinakaran, the sidelined number 2 of Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK, today said he has asked the Governor for a floor test for the government of E Palaniswami. After a meeting with C Vidyasagar Rao at noon, Mr Dhinakaran said the Governor has assured that he would "look into the situation". Mr Dhinakaran claims to have the support of 19 legislators, who can bring down the government in the event of a confidence vote.
For the visit to the Raj Bhavan, the leader had been accompanied by three legislators and seven parliamentarians from the party. The show of strength comes on the heels of a claim from the Chief Minister's camp that nine of his followers have pledged support to the Chief Minister.
This is the faction's second meeting with the Governor. Two weeks ago, hours after Mr Palaniswami and his predecessor O Panneerselvam shook hands on a merger. Mr Dhinakaran's followers had rebelled. One of the conditions of the merger was the expulsion of VK Sasikala, the party's official chief and Mr Dhinakaran's aunt.
Accusing the Chief Minister of corruption and "betraying" Ms Sasikala, who is currently in jail, they met the Governor and asked him to replace Mr Palaniswami.
The larger group of AIADMK, however, claimed yesterday that it has the support of nine lawmakers from the Dhinakaran camp.
After a meeting attended by 111 lawmakers, the united AIADMK said they have the support of 124 legislators in the 234-member assembly. The halfway mark is at 117. Senior leader D Jayakumar said the Dhinakaran followers - who had been sequestered at a hotel in Puducherry since their rebellion -- had confirmed their allegiance on phone.
Contesting the claim, Mr Dhinakaran's faction had dared the ruling group to name the legislators. They also demanded that the Governor order a floor test as soon as possible.
"If the Governor does not quickly take a decision in two days, we will decide on our next move," Dhinakaran loyalist Thangatamilselvan had said.