Madras High Court sets aside civil court order and upholds challenge to EPS’ election as AIADMK general secretary, marking a key legal twist in AIADMK leadership battle.
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CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Thursday delivered a verdict in favour of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), setting aside a civil court’s order and dismissing a petition that had challenged his election as the party’s general secretary.
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High Court’s Ruling
Justice P. B. Balaji of the Madras High Court set aside the city civil court’s order and went a step further by dismissing the petition filed by Suryamoorthy altogether.
The High Court agreed with EPS’s stand that:
- Suryamoorthy had not been a member of the AIADMK since 2018, and hence could not question internal party decisions.
- In fact, Suryamoorthy had contested against the AIADMK candidate in the Edappadi Assembly constituency during the 2021 elections, weakening his claim of party membership.
Background of the Case
The controversy began when Suryamoorthy from Dindigul, who claimed to be an AIADMK member, filed a petition in the Chennai Civil Court. He challenged the resolutions passed during the party’s General Council meeting on July 11, 2022, including the announcement of EPS as the AIADMK general secretary.
EPS responded by filing an application seeking dismissal of the case, arguing that Suryamoorthy had no locus standi to question party affairs.
Civil Court’s Decision
Initially, the civil court dismissed EPS’s plea, thereby allowing the petition against him to continue. This prompted EPS to move the Madras High Court, challenging the lower court’s decision.
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