Chennai: In a major boost for the Palaniswami government, Madras High Court on Wednesday refused to stay the disqualification of the 18 AIADMK rebel MLAs.

The court also extended its order against a floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly till further directions. This has been a demand of the rebel MLAs supporting ousted leader TTV Dhinakaran.

The order was passed on a series of petitions challenging the disqualification of the MLAs by Speaker P Dhanapal under the anti-defection rule. The rebel legislators had earlier announced withdrawal of support to the Chief Minister.

However, he stayed the issuing of notice for election in the wake of the seats left vacant owing to the disqualification.

The court posted the case to October 4 for further hearing.