CHENNAI: The resolution moved by the AIADMK seeking to remove Assembly Speaker M Appavu from his post was defeated by a margin of 91 votes on Monday. A total of 154 MLAs belonging to the DMK and parties allied to it voted against the resolution, while 63 MLAs belonging to the AIADMK — including Puratchi Bharatham leader Poovai M Jeganmoorthy who was elected under the AIADMK symbol — supported it.
The MLAs belonging to PMK and the BJP were absent during the discussion on the resolution as well as during the division of votes.
As the resolution sought his removal, Appavu handed over the responsibility of conducting the proceedings of the House to Deputy Speaker K Pitchandi. After the discussion, the deputy speaker put the resolution to voice vote twice and announced that it had been defeated.
