Chennai: Madras High Court intervened in the floor test issue on Thursday and directed the Speaker not to conduct it till September 20. The ruling was in in connection to the case filed by the DMK seeking an Assembly session in wake of rebel MLAs withdrawing support to the Palaniswami government.

The order was in the backdrop of advocate general Vijay Narayan seeking time for Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao’s views on the DMK demand.

Kapil Sibal who appeared for the DMK said the government “is attempting to convert the minority government into majority by disqualifying 19 rebel MLAs supporting ousted leader Dinakaran”. The government proposed to hold a trust vote only after that, he argued.

However, counsel for the government said it sought time only to get the advice of the Governor.

Justice M Duraiswamy then ordered the Speaker not hold the floor test till Wednesday when it would give a ruling in the matter.