DMK MLA disqualified

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JULY 13. The Assembly Speaker, Mr. P.T.R. Palanivelrajan has disqualified Mr. M. Muthuramalingam, from the membership of the Assembly `as he had defected from the DMK to the AIADMK'.

Addressing a press conference here today, the Speaker said, while taking the decision he had ``followed the Assembly rules and there is no political motive behind the order''.

``Though Mr. Muthuramalingam has been disqualified from the Assembly, he is eligible for all benefits entitled to an ex-MLA, including pension'', he said.

Muthuramalingam surprised

Our Madurai Staff Reporter reports:

Mr. Muthuramalingam, expressed surprise over his disqualification, even after he had submitted a resignation letter.

Talking to TheHindu, Mr. Muthuramalingam said a letter of resignation was sent to the Speaker on June 28, a day after he defected to the AIADMK from the DMK.

But the Assembly Secretary sent him a bunch of copies of news paper reports and photographs, along with a complaint of Mr. Arun Kumar, Mettupalayam MLA, in English, asking him to explain his position vis-a-vis the `defection.'

He contacted the Secretary over telephone and explained to him the contents of the resignation letter earlier sent to the Speaker.

The Secretary, Mr. Muthuramalingam said, gave the impression that his reply would suffice. Later, a reply was also sent, insisting that the original resignation letter be accepted.

But the prescribed format for resignation, Mr. Muthuramalingam said, ``has not reached me so far''.

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Section  : Southern States
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