As news of the split verdict reached the Assembly, ruling party legislators expressed their joy by thumping their desks.
However, earlier in the day, there was palpable tension in the ruling camp as several AIADMK MLAs and Ministers, including Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, kept checking the time ahead of the verdict.
The members’ curiosity was further piqued when DMK MLA R. Masilamani (Mailam) was advised by Deputy Speaker Pollachi V. Jayaraman to wind up his speech by 1 p.m.
Amused DMK members exchanged glances and smiles with their counterparts in the ruling party benches. Law Minister C. Ve. Shanmugam, Forest Minister Dindigul C. Sreenivasan and AIADMK MLA S. Semmalai (Mettur) stepped out of the House for a few minutes past 1 p.m.
Though there was not much activity in the House during the next 40 minutes, several members, including Mr. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam too stepped out of the House.
At 1.43 p.m., a section of the AIADMK MLAs thumped their desks indicating their joy as news of the verdict reached them. School Education Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan showed thumbs up to the Opposition. Some AIADMK MLAs also sought to boo their DMK counterparts.