Chennai: In a show of strength, the unified AIADMK led by Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Tuesday held a meeting of its legislators and claimed the backing of 124 MLAs, including nine from the sidelined deputy chief TTV Dhinkaran's camp.
The assertion came after the meeting convened by Palaniswami amid persistent demand by the opposition for a floor test after a rebellion by 21 MLAs loyal to Dhinakaran.
Senior minister and key supporter of the Chief Minister D Jayakumar told reporters that 111 MLAs attended the meeting expressing support to Palaniswami and signed the party register.
Nine MLAs from "that camp" (Dhinakaran faction) also extended support to the Chief Minister over the phone, he claimed, emerging from the meeting held at party headquarters here.
Jayakumar said three MLAs of allied parties, who contested last year's assembly polls on AIADMK's Two Leaves symbol, have also pledged support to Palaniswami as also another party MLA who could not attend due to health reasons.
The three MLAs are: S Karunaas (Mukkulathor Pulipadai), M Thamimun Ansari (Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi) and U Thaniyarasu (Tamil Nadu Kongu Ilaignar Peravai).