DMDK loses one more MLA to Jaya

Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam MLA R. Santhi called on Chief Minister and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa at the Secretariat, taking the number of rebel MLAs to six. Ms. Santhi, representing Senthamangalam constituency of the Namakkal district, told reporters later that in her meeting with the Chief Minister, she gave a petition on development works in her constituency. She also greeted Ms. Jayalalithaa on completion of two years in office. The MLA refused to answer questions on the status of her relationship with her party.

Since the DMDK and the AIADMK fell apart openly in February last year, five DMDK MLAs –

·        R. Sundarrajan (Madurai Central Assembly)

·        K. Tamil Azhagan (Tittakudi in Cuddalore district)

·        C. Arun Pandian (Peravurani in Thanjavur)

·        Michael Royappan (Radhapuram in Tirunelveli) and

·        T. Suresh Kumar (Chengam in Tiruvannamalai)

met the Chief Minister in October 2012 and February 2013.

On February 8 this year, the Assembly witnessed an unsavoury scene when MLAs loyal to the DMDK leadership got into fisticuffs with the rebel MLAs, who spoke in support of the AIADMK. A month later, six DMDK MLAs were suspended for one year originally, but the quantum of punishment was reduced to six months subsequently. Even though the five rebel MLAs in the House are seated separately, the official strength of the DMDK remains at 29. It is because of this position that the party is regarded as the principal Opposition party.

Yesterday’s (May 29, 2013) meeting evoked greater curiosity in view of the forthcoming Rajya Sabha elections, which may be held in June to fill vacancies for six seats.

Predictably, the Namakkal district unit of the DMDK criticised Ms. Santhi for her action. DMDK party said that, she has betrayed the party. Ms. Santhi, one of the two DMDK MLAs from Namakkal, is the secretary of the party’s district women’s wing. Till 2005, she remained with the AIADMK, after which she joined the DMDK. In the 2006 Assembly elections, she contested unsuccessfully from Senthamangalam.

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