(1.) All these writ petitions, are directed against an order dated 18.9.2017 of the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly declaring the writ petitioners, eighteen in number, as disqualified from the membership of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on the ground that they had voluntarily given up the membership of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party.
(2.) The issues involved in all these writ petitions being identical, the writ petitions were heard together and are now being disposed of by this common judgment and order. The facts giving rise to the impugned order of the Speaker are set out briefly hereinafter.
(3.) After the death of Selvi J.Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and leader of the AIADMK on 5.12.2016, Mr.O.Panneerselvam was elected as the leader of AIADMK in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Mr.O.Panneerselvam was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 6.12.2016.