In a major development in the ongoing political rift in Tamil Nadu, former chief minister O Panneerselvam is planning to take the legal battle against VK Sasikala and Chief Minister E Palaniswami to the Supreme Court, challenging the proceedings of the legislative assembly when a confidence motion stalled his chances of continuing as CM.
The AIADMK rebel leader is likely to file a petition in the apex court on Friday — a day before the court breaks for a week-long Holi vacation.
Panneerselvam has instructed his lawyers to prepare a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution on his behalf. The lawyers have also been asked to mull the possibility of getting a hearing on an urgent basis before the vacation starts.
A petition under Article 32 seeks to invoke the public interest jurisdiction of the Supreme Court while underlining violation of fundamental rights.
In the proposed writ petition, Panneerselvam will challenge the validity of the assembly proceedings of February 18 when a confidence motion was passed in favour of Palaniswami.
Two days after he was sworn in as chief minister after a bitter power tussle in the ruling AIADMK, Palaniswami won the trust vote 122-11 in the 234-member assembly.
The floor test on February 18 witnessed chaotic scenes that led to the eviction of the main Opposition DMK and a walkout by its allies in protest.