Chennai, Sep 18 (IANS): Eighteen AIADMK legislators loyal to sidelined Deputy General Secretary T.T.V. Dinakaran have been disqualified under the anti-defection law by the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker, it was announced on Monday.

Speaker P. Dhanapal ordered the "disqualification of 18 lawmakers under the anti-defection law" from Monday, a statement issued by the Assembly said.

A total of 19 AIADMK legislators had submitted a letter to Governor C.V. Rao withdrawing support to Chief Minister K. Palaniswami. They asked the Governor to initiate the process to install a new Chief Minister.

After that, AIADMK Chief Whip S. Rajendran asked Dhanapal to disqualify the 19 MLAs who rebelled against Palaniswami.

Dhanapal issued notices to the 19 lawmakers asking them why they should not be disqualified under the anti-defection law.

Subsequently, one of the MLAs, S.T.K. Jakkaiyan, switched over to the Palaniswami side.

Reacting to the disqualification of 18 legislators, Dinakaran told reporters that they would file a case against the Speaker's decision.

The opposition parties have been demanding the government to prove its majority on the floor of the house after 19 legislators revolted against Chief Minister Palaniswami.

The Madras High Court had ordered that a floor test should not be held till September 20.

After the disqualification of 18 legislators, the government has a majority in the House.