In the wake of the political crisis in Tamil Nadu, Leader of Opposition, Dravida Munnetra Kazagham's (DMK) Thalapathi M.K. Stalin on Friday submitted a representation to Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, in which he sought 'early intervention to ensure a democratically and constitutionally valid government in the state'.
The letter read: "We are certain that the Hon'ble Governor is aware of the series of events that has pushed the state into a political and constitutional stalemate, just as the State was about to return from the uncertainty caused due to the ill health of the former Chief Minister of TN, her sudden death and the transition of power thereafter.
"This representation is submitted by the DMK Party, in the backdrop of current internal rivalries, selfish pursuits of the ruling party and the collapse of the State Administrative Machinery because of which the welfare of the people has been greatly compromised in the last nine months."
"There is a constitutional vacuum now in the State, in which even the Chief Minister has been relegated to the side, only because of the infighting happening in the party. On the one hand the Chief Minister tenders his resignation, his own party elects a new leader of legislature party, but on the other hand charges and counter charges are being made where now to the utter shock of the entire state, where the Chief Minister himself has goes on record, just after 48 hours, saying that his resignation was obtained under duress."
"Then there are news items that the ruling party MLAs were transported in Omni buses to undisclosed destinations and kept under close watch against their wish, will and freedom of movement. There is also a writ that has been filed in the Chennai High Court demanding the release of those MLAs in alleged illegal detention. It is not inappropriate to mention here that the MLAs have to be given a chance of exercising their voting rights according to their free will. And another occasion of 'consent obtained under duress' has to be avoided in the interest of the State. Horse trading in any form has to be prevented and all efforts to protect the sanctity of the Anti defection law has to be undertaken.
"A complete constitutional impasse has been voluntarily imposed by the ruling party on the people of the State and in turn it has affected the administration of the State badly. Thus, there are a number of compelling issues concerning the people of the state, warranting immediate attention and resolution.
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"As a Leader of Opposition TN Assembly, it is my responsibility to bring this worsening situation to your notice as it is causing a serious setback to the smooth sailing of the giant wheels of Constitutional Machinery in the promising and peaceful State. You will agree that the State administration cannot be allowed to drift towards a dangerous destination and in my view, if it is allowed to proceed, it will lead to a complete breakdown of the administration in the State. An alternate govt according to the norms of the constitution is therefore the need of the hour, as the problems of the people remain either unresolved or inadequately addressed. This affects the progress of the State.
"We request Hon'ble Governor to look into the developing situations closely and seek early intervention to ensure a democratically and constitutionally valid government in place without further loss of time through a free and fair floor test in total conformity with the constitutional provisions and also in accordance with parameters laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the famous 'S.R.Bommai Case' case."
Earlier, Rao clarified he hasn't sent any report to the Home Ministry, which allegedly cited that AIADMK general secretary V.K. Sasikala was not qualified to stake the claim of being the Chief Minister of the state.
The suspense of the Tamil Nadu AIADMK drama has been on the rise for a few days as both Sasikala's and incumbent Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam's camps remained tight-lipped about their respective closed-door meetings with Rao.
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