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Tamil Nadu floor test: DMK’s protest at Chennai’s Marina Beach. DMK Working President MK Stalin & other party leaders still in Police detention. (Source: ANI)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami won the trust vote in the Assembly on Saturday. 122 MLAs voted for him while 11 voted for O Panneerselvam. After his victory, the chief minister went to Chennai’s Marina Beach to pay tributes to former AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa. At the same time, DMK’s working president MK Stalin Earlier in the day, violence had erupted inside the Tamil Nadu Assembly as DMK MLAs demanded a secret ballot in the floor test called by chief minister Edappadi Palanaswami to prove majority of his government. Amid the chaos DMK’s Stalin alleged his shirt was torn off even as he said he’s going to meet the Governor to apprise him of the situation. He was later arrested at Marina Beach.
TAMIL NADU FLOOR TEST highlights:
8:20 pm: DMK workers protest in Coimbatore over alleged mistreatment meted out to MK Stalin in Assembly; later detained by Police
8:02 pm: Palanisami, flanked by his ministers and senior party leaders, including party Deputy General Secretary, TTV Dinakaran, paid floral tributes at the memorials of party founder M G Ramachandran and late Chief Minister J
Jayalalithaa.
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8:00 pm: “The vow taken by our party’s General Secretary V K Sasikala has been fulfilled,” he said as party cadres raised slogans “Chinnama Vaazhga!” at the MGR memorial, hailing Sasikala.
6:21 pm: Request TN Governor to restore democratic values and order Assembly postponement for conducting secret voting on Confidence Motion-MK Stalin in letter
6:20 pm: Speaker’s agenda is to announce CM’s success in getting confidence vote in DMK’s absence;It’s unconstitutional-MK Stalin in letter to TN Governor
5:39 pm:
Opposition leader @mkstalin and senior DMK leaders getting arrested at Gandhi statue, Marina @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/jH1wXBc3gf
— Arun Janardhanan (@arunjei) February 18, 2017
5:12 pm: DMK leader MK Stalin sits on protest at Marina Beach, asks all those who want to ‘remove’ the ‘anti-democratic’ govt to converge at Marina.
MK Stalin, scores of protesting DMK MLAs detained by police at Marina Beach.
4:45 pm: Police force being deployed on Marina, awaiting final orders to evacuate MK Stalin and DMK leaders who started a hunger strike an hour ago
4:26 pm: Palaniswami, AIADMK Ministers and MLAs pay tribute at Jayalalithaa memorial at Marina Beach.
4:20 pm: MK Stalin will hold a protest at Chennai’s Marina Beach.
4:15 pm: DMK Working President MK Stalin met Governor C Vidyasagar Rao after floor test in Tamil Nadu Assembly.
4:12 pm: We condemn the thrashing of MLAs; This is murder of democracy and can’t be accepted in any form: DMK MP Tiruchi Siva
4:10 pm: Family thrown out from party by Amma again come into picture with Sasikala’s intervention. It won’t last, Amma’s rule will be established: OPS
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam. PTI Photo br R Senthil Kumar
4:05 pm: DMK MLAs for three hours kept on repeating their request to save democracy, now in absence of all of us, vote was passed, we doubt validity: OPS
4:00 pm: There were constant threats; abusive language was used. Things would’ve been different if secret ballot was done: Pandiarajan.
3:57 pm: We had kept two demands before speaker, one was to send MLAs to their constituencies, but Speaker didn’t agree to them: OPS
3:47 pm: We have time to prove this, at the end only dharma will win. If need be will meet the Governor: OPS
3:46 pm: Once we go back to our constituencies will get to know the truth, the voters have been betrayed by MLAs: O Panneerselvam.
3:37 pm: As CM Edappadi wins, Actor Kamal Hassan appeals people to welcome their MLAs “with the respect they deserve back home”
3:34 pm: 122 MLAs in the assembly voted in favour of CM Palaniswami.
3:30 pm: After all 6 divisions of MLAs in Tamil Nadu Assembly vote in favour, CM Palanisamy wins vote of confidence
3:16 pm: CM Palanisamy’s vote of confidence: Voting begins in Tamil Nadu assembly
3:05 pm: We were told that assembly will reconvene at 3 pm, but at 2 pm Police came and tried to forcefully evict us.My shirt also torn: MK Stalin
3:02 pm: Police security being tightened across Chennai, force being deployed at AIADMK headquarters at Royapettah.
3:00 pm: We were told that assembly will reconvene at 3 pm, but at 2 pm Police came and tried to forcefully evict us.My shirt also torn: MK Stalin
2:55 pm: Speaker tore off his shirt himself and blamed MLAs of DMK. We reiterate our demand for a secret ballot: MK Stalin
2:40 pm: Villivakkam MLA B Ranganathan who sat on the Speaker’s chair is an accused in 1 murder case, 2 kidnapping cases, 3 cases for causing grievous hurt and 2 gambling cases.
1:50 pm: Meanwhile, the Golden Bay resorts, where the AIADMK MLAs were holed up earlier, has been closed down for maintenance. #JustSaying
1:38 pm: Assembly adjourned till 3 pm.
1:35 pm: You (DMK MLAs) tore my shirt and insulted me, I am doing my work abiding law, says Speaker P Dhanapal
1:30 pm: A photo of the broken chairs in the Assembly.
1:15 pm: The visuals from inside the Assembly are now there for us to see. Take a look.
1:05 pm: The House has reconvened.
12:50 pm: It’s unfortunate that such incidents took place in TN assembly, whatever speaker decides should be accepted by all: Kapil Sibal, Congress
12:48 pm: Visuals of an injured official being taken to hospital after the violence in Assembly.
An injured official being taken to hospital following massive ruckus in the assembly #floortest #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/bzBSO1eGaZ
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 18, 2017
12:35 pm: Meeting underway between Palaniswamy and senior ministers of the government.
By the way, an ambulance has been brought in for some kind of medical emergency.
12:30 pm: DMK is a violent and anti-national party. Whatever she is, Sasikala is much better than DMK, says Subramanian Swamy, BJP
12:20 pm: We are also getting reports that a DMK MLA sat in the Speaker’s chair and disrupted proceedings. Papers and books being thrown around as well. As of now, the House has been adjourned till 1 pm. By the way, the media has no access to the visuals inside the Assembly.
12:15 pm: Tables, chairs and microphones are being broken as violent scenes play out in the Assembly. DMK MLAs are demanding a secret ballot and destroying government property.
12:07 pm: Although the press has no chance of understanding what’s happening in the Assembly, pictures are still visible. Unprecedented scenes are being reported of DMK MLAs gheraoing the Speaker demanding a secret ballot.
12:01 pm: Uproar again in Tamil Nadu assembly.
12:00 pm: Indian Union Muslim League too demands secret ballot voting in Tamil Nadu assembly.
11:57 am: Audio speaker kept in Tamil Nadu assembly press room has been disconnected.
Audio speaker kept in Tamil Nadu assembly press room (allocated for accredited reporters and cameraman) has been disconnected. #floortest pic.twitter.com/hvo2v5ilC7
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 18, 2017
11:52 am: Nobody can interfere in my decision on how to vote: Tamil Nadu assembly Speaker P Dhanapal
11:49 am: In Indian parliamentary procedure, a division of the Assembly is done to get a better sense of the House than a voice vote. In this case a voice vote would have been chaotic and for certain challenged later. The MLAs have now been divided into six groups and the leader of each group will vote instead of individual legislators. Incidentally, the method has been in use since Roman times when. At Westminster there are separate division lobbies for the “Ayes” and “Noes” to facilitate physical division.
11:42 am: Everyone knows that MLAs were kept in koovathur. People’s voice should be heard and then only the #floortest should be done in the assembly. MLAs should be given time to hear the views of their constituency people, till then time should be given: O Panneerselvam
11:41 am: Democracy will be fulfilled, only when secret ballot voting is done: Stalin
11:40 am: Ruckus continue in TN assembly, DMK demands to postpone voting citing 15 days time given by Guv, Speaker rejected the demand.
11:35 am: Floor test should be done on another day. Why the hurry when the Governor has given 15 days time? asks MK Stalin.
11:28 am: TN Assembly Speaker, P Dhanapal rejects request of DMK asking to postpone floor test to another day.
11:27 am: Secret ballot demand rejected, it will be a division vote.
11:25 am: All doors shut in Tamil Nadu assembly premises.
11:24 am: I assure that the MLAs will be given adequate security: P Dhanapal, Assembly Speaker
11:21 am:
Arguments break out between media persons and Police after Police denies media entry into TN assembly premises pic.twitter.com/2DfVmoyXHy
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 18, 2017
11:20: DMK and Congress MLAs join OPS camp in demand for secret ballot, “MLAs treated like prisoners” : MK Stalin in assembly
11:16 am: Ruckus breaks out in Tamil Nadu Assembly.
11:12 am: AIADMK Presidium Chairman Madhusudanan (OPS camp) appointed S Semmalai as chief whip in assembly.
11:10 am: AIADMK MLAs (Palanisamy supporters ) raise slogans against DMK in assembly.
11:08 am: DMK raise slogans in Tamil Nadu assembly supporting O Panneerselvam
11:04 am: Trust vote proceedings begin in Tamil Nadu assembly.
11:00 am:
CM Palanisamy moves motion for the vote of confidence in TN assembly pic.twitter.com/23m7tr4vCo
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 18, 2017
10:59 am: O Panneerselvam team asks for secret ballot.
10:54 am: Edappadi has given strict instructions to MLAs, especially three ministers, to remain calm even if there are provocations, Arun Janardhanan reports.
10:49 am: MLAs are being brought to the Secretariat like prisoners: MK Stalin
10:48 am: DMK working president MK Stalin walked to the Tamil Nadu assembly in protest alleging his car was searched at the entrance.
(Source: ANI)
10:31 am: Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami paid tribute to labour leader Singaravelar on 158th birth anniversary in Chennai.
10:12 am: Congress to vote against Edappadi K Palaniswami government: TNCC chief Su Thirunavakkarasar.
Congress to vote against the confidence motion in Tamil Nadu assembly’s special session today #FloorTest pic.twitter.com/dIyhUuZFwN
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 18, 2017
10:07 am: Congress MLAs reach Tamil Nadu assembly ahead of the Floor Test.
10:06 am: I strongly appeal, atleast speaker should permit secret ballot. To some extent, MLAs will be free to exercise their franchise: BV Acharya
10:04 am: They’re not given opportunity,huddled together in a resort with other MLAs. Where is the chance of any free thinking, deliberation. Governor should have brought in President’s rule for at least 2-3 months so that normalcy prevails, and MLAs are free, not under threat: BV Acharya
(Source: ANI)
10:00: am: You can’t say it is a vote exercised by them (MLAs who stayed in resort) out of their free will: BV Acharya, special PP in Sasikala DA case.
9:56 pm: MK Stalin has reached state assembly to attend special session in Tamil Nadu.
9:46 am: Visuals from Tamil Nadu assembly’s entrance, floor test to take place today at the special session.
Visuals from #TamilNadu assembly’s entrance, #floortest to take place today at the special session pic.twitter.com/yuEF8wXU72
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 18, 2017
9:42 am: DMK working president MK Stalin leaves for assembly to attend special session.
MK Stalin. (ANI/File photo)
9:15 am: The chief minister has reached the secretariat for the floor test. It is scheduled at 11 am.
9:37 am: Coimbatore North MLA Arun Kumar leaves Edapaddi Palaniswamy camp, decides to abstain from voting.
8:44 am:
#TamilNadu: Barricading, Heavy police deployment outside TN secretariat ahead of floor test. pic.twitter.com/tytdpOBmC0
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 18, 2017
8:44 am:
Amma’s legacy rests on abled shlders of OPS, this will be driving force to vote,not temporary confinement of brainwashing: M Pandiarajan pic.twitter.com/Blk9PxYdC5
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 18, 2017
8:40 am:
We don’t think we are in single digit. We believe 135 people should vote for us: M Pandiarajan,Former TN Minister & OPS supporter #FloorTest pic.twitter.com/mgeaL5hV2D
— ANI (@ANI_news) February 18, 2017
BACKGROUND
Palaniswamy took oath as the chief minister of the state and was given 15 days to prove majority by the governor after the Supreme Court convicted VK Sasikala, the AIADMK general secretary, in the Disproportionate Assets case and sentenced her to four years in jail. Before her conviction, Sasikala’s road to the chief minister’s office was blocked by former chief minister O Panneerselvam who raised a banner of rebellion. Panneerselvam, who currently has the support of just 10 party MLAs, had presented himself as the choice of late J Jayalalithaa for the chief minister’s post.
Though Palaniswamy was given 15 days by governor in-charge C Vidyasagar Rao to garner numbers, he decided to seek the vote of confidence on Saturday itself. While the House has a strength of 235, Palaniswamy, who belongs to the Sasikala faction, claims to have the support of 124 party MLAs.
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