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Time of India

Anbumani writes to Speaker to replace party whip

Chennai: The leadership tussle between PMK founder S Ramadoss and his son Anbumani Ramadoss has reached the state capital with the latter writing to the Assembly speaker requesting him to replace Salem (west) MLA R Arul with party MLA C Sivakumar from Mailam constituency as the party's whip on Friday. Arul, a supporter of Ramadoss was removed from the party by Anbumani a few days back. Arul, who contested his sacking, challenged Anbumani's letter to the assembly speaker too, saying that only Ramadoss can make this decision. Of the five PMK MLAs, S P Venkateshwaran (Dharmapuri), S Sadhasivam (Mettur) and Sivakumar support Anbumani while party's honorary president G K Mani and Arul are with Ramadoss. MLAs supporting Anbumani met speaker M Appavu and submitted the letter. Anbumani said in the letter that Arul, has been relieved of his responsibilities as PMK legislative party whip due to his anti-party activities. "C Sivakumar, elected from Mailam constituency, has been appointed as the PMK whip. I request that you officially record this change in the legislative assembly," the letter read. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Arul submitted a letter written to Appavu by Ramadoss later in the day. In the letter, Ramadoss said Arul will continue as the party's whip. "Only Ramadoss can decide on appointing or removing the party's whip. Anbumani is now a working president," Arul told reporters after calling on the speaker. Asked about the representations from PMK groups, Appavu said, "Let's see when the assembly is summoned." TN Assembly Rules recognize a party with one tenth of the total number of members (234) as a legislature party. A party with a strength of not less than eight members is recognized as a legislature group. "PMK doesn't qualify as either a legislature party or a legislature group. While parties submit lists of elected MLAs as office-bearers, the assembly's recognition is limited to only the leader of opposition, as defined by the established rules. Hence, there is no question of recognizing the whip of the PMK," said a senior govt official.