Key Facts
Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar on Tuesday (June 9, 2026) announced that he has dropped further action against 21 of the 25 rebel AIADMK MLAs who had voted against the party whip during a floor test on May 13. The decision came after AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami submitted four separate letters condoning the conduct of these MLAs.
Details of the Decision
Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat in Chennai, Mr. Prabhakar explained that proceedings had been initiated against four rebel legislators — Maragatham Kumaravel (Madurantakam), S. Jayakumar (Perundurai), P. Sathyabama (Dharapuram), and Esaki Subaya (Ambasamudram) — and that a decision on them would be taken later.
The Speaker described the sequence of events: Mr. Palaniswami had submitted a letter on May 13 evening seeking the disqualification of 25 rebel AIADMK MLAs under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India after they voted against the directions of the party whip. A few days later, the Speaker received four separate letters from Mr. Palaniswami condoning the actions of 21 MLAs. After examining them and going through the Assembly rules, he decided to drop the proceedings against those 21 MLAs.
List of 21 MLAs Cleared
The Speaker read out the names of the 21 MLAs against whom action has been dropped:
- G. Hari (Tiruttani)
- S.M. Sukumar (Arcot)
- K.C. Veeramani (Jolarpet)
- P. Balakrishnareddy (Hosur)
- K.P. Anbalagan (Palacodu)
- Maragatham Vetrivel (Pappireddippatti)
- Dhilipan Jaishankar (Sankarankovil (SC))
- C.Ve. Shanmugam (Mailam)
- R. Rakesh (Sankarapuram)
- S. Sekar (Paramathi-Velur)
- N.S.N. Nataraj (Kangayam)
- P. Haribaskar (Anthiyur)
- S.P. Velumani (Thondamuthur)
- K. Ravimanoharan (Palani)
- Natham R. Viswanathan (Natham)
- M.R. Vijayabhaskar (Karur)
- Leemarose Martin (Lalgudi)
- K. Mohan (Panruti)
- A. Arunmozhithevan (Bhuvanagiri)
- R. Kamaraj (Nannilam)
- C. Vijayabaskar (Viralimalai)
Impact and What Readers Should Know
This development effectively ends the immediate threat of disqualification for the majority of the rebel MLAs, who had cross-voted during the floor test. The four MLAs still under scrutiny face an uncertain future. The decision underscores the role of party leadership in condoning dissent and the Speaker's adherence to procedural rules.
FAQ
Why did the Speaker drop action against 21 AIADMK MLAs?
The Speaker received letters from AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami condoning the conduct of the 21 MLAs, leading to the dropping of proceedings.
How many rebel MLAs were initially facing disqualification?
Initially, 25 rebel AIADMK MLAs faced disqualification proceedings for voting against the party whip on May 13.
What happens to the remaining four rebel MLAs?
Proceedings against four MLAs—Maragatham Kumaravel, S. Jayakumar, P. Sathyabama, and Esaki Subaya—are still pending, with a decision to be taken later.