Rebel AIADMK leader and chief of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, TTV Dhinakaran on Wednesday declared that the 18 disqualified MLAs will not challenge the Madras High court decision and instead face bye-elections when they are held.

This statement has accelerated political developments in the state as all parties are gearing up for the byepolls that are being seen as mini-general elections as the polls for 120 vacant seats can alter the composition of the house and also affect the fate of the government.

He told media persons at Madurai that the disqualified MLAs will face elections and not go on appeal against the Madras High Court order that upheld disqualification of the MLAs.

Last year, the 18 legislators had met the then Governor C.Vidyasagar Rao and gave a representation requesting him to change Chief Minister K.Palaniswami as they had lost confidence in him.

Following that Speaker Dhanapal on the representation from the Chief Government Whip S.Rajendiran disqualified the 18 legislators under the anti-defection law.

It may be noted, they were disqualified last year and the case was pending in the Madras High Court since then. The Madras High Court in an interim order had restrained the Election Commission from holding by-polls in the 18 seats.

Now it remains to be seen as to when the election commission holds elections to fill #0 vacancies thAt include two seats where the incumbents passed away.