The 18 disqualified AIADMK MLAs have decided to approach the Supreme Court challenging Thursday’s Madras High Court verdict that upheld their disqualification by Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P. Dhanapal under the anti-defection law.

In the intervening period, if by-elections are held to the 18 Assembly constituencies, the disqualified legislators will contest as candidates of the T.T.V. Dhinakaran-led Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam.

Addressing journalists following a discussion Mr. Dhinakaran had with them in Madurai on Friday, Thanga Tamilselvan, one of the disqualified MLAs, said the decision was unanimously taken since it was necessary to show to the world that the Speaker’s decision was wrong.

Mr. Tamilselvan stressed that the decision to appeal was to establish that the Speaker’s decision was misuse of power. “This minority government [AIADMK rule] seems to be of the view that they can use their power to punish anyone. Even if we decide to contest elections, there is a possibility that the returning officers may disqualify our candidature citing some reasons,” he said.

The lawyers who appeared for the disqualified legislators had opined that there were flaws in the judgement of Justice M. Sathyanarayanan, the Supreme Court-appointed third judge of the Madras High Court.

“We are hopeful that the Supreme Court will uphold the split verdict of Justice M. Sundar [which set aside the Speaker’s decision]. We will request for swift disposal of the case,” he said.