One hundred and eleven MLAs of the ruling AIADMK attended Tuesday’s meeting at the party headquarters here called by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, according to Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar.

However, the 19 MLAs owing allegiance to AIADMK deputy general secretary TTV Dhinakaran did not attend the meeting, resulting in continued doubts over the ability of Palaniswami to garner adequate majority in the 234-member Assembly.

He falls short of the 117 needed to cross the halfway point, resulting in the DMK renewing its call to Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao to convene the Assembly and ensure Palaniswami proves his majority.

Today’s turnout was far higher than the 60 MLAs present at a meeting called by Palaniswami on August 28.

Everybody, including Deputy Chief Minister O Paneerselvam, extended their support to any initiative taken by the CM, Jayakumar told news persons after the hour-long meeting. Palaniswami later met district secretaries.

Jayakumar claimed that nine MLAs in the Dhinkaran camp have extended their support over telephone to Palaniswami. In addition, three MLAs who are allies of the AIADMK had extended their support to the CM. One MLA was unwell, and could not make it to today’s meeting.

Today’s meeting comes ahead of the crucial general council meeting called by the AIADMK on September 12 even as Dhinakaran is intensifying his efforts to rope in more MLAs and MPs to his side.

Falling short

With 111 AIADMK MLAs present at today’s meeting, and the support of three allied party MLAs, the EPS and O Paneerselvam (OPS) faction is still short of the half-way 117 mark.

Meanwhile, Opposition leader MK Stalin, in an interaction with media persons, reiterated his demand that Palaniswami should prove his majority in the House. He said only 109 MLAs participated today’s meeting, and not 111 as claimed by the AIADMK.

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