The Centre’s contention in the Supreme Court on the issue of nominated MLAs that the Union Territory was its “property,” amounted to treating the people of the region as its “slaves,” said All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader A. Anbalagan on Friday.

Responding to the Supreme Court judgment that the nomination of MLAs was valid, the AIADMK leader said the Cenre’s stand in the court that the Union Territory was its property was in bad taste. “After Independence from the French, we have only merged with the Indian Union. But we are not Centre’s slaves,” he said.

Stating that as an elected representative he respected the order given by the Supreme Court, Mr. Anbalagan said the judgment in the long run would be a threat to democracy.

Voting rights

The AIADMK leader said he had failed to understand the voting rights given to the nominated MLAs. These MLAs had voting rights when it comes to no-confidence motion and passing of Bills in the Legislative Assembly.

However, they were barred from casting votes to elect the President and the Vice-president.

“Why this doublestandard,” he asked.

The Supreme Court decision to give voting rights to nominated legislators would have far-reaching impact in the electoral politics of the Union Territory.

In future, if the Centre decided to overthrow an elected government that had come to power with a simple majority (say 16 seats) in a 30-member House, all that it needed to do was to appoint three members according to their wish. After the appointment, the government could be defeated on the floor of the House by bringing in a no-confidence motion.

He questioned the decision of the Lieutenant Governor to hold a press conference along with nominated legislators after the Supreme Court gave its judgment. “She is acting as a propaganda agent of the BJP,” he said.