The court removed the stay on the Election Commission’s probe into the leadership conflict between Palaniswami and Panneerselvam, the distribution of the ‘Two Leaves’ symbol, and the AIADMK General Council resolutions from July 2022, which included the expulsion of Panneerselvam and his supporters from the party.
CHENNAI: On Wednesday, the Madras High Court lifted the stay on the Election Commission’s investigation into the internal disputes of the AIADMK, including issues related to leadership and the party’s symbol. This decision is viewed as a setback for the party’s current leader, Edappadi K Palaniswami.
A division bench of Justices R Subramanian and G Arul Murugan issued the order in response to petitions filed by expelled AIADMK members P Ravindranath (son of former CM O Panneerselvam), K C Palanisamy, and Va Pugazhenthi.
The court removed the stay on the Election Commission’s probe into the leadership conflict between Palaniswami and Panneerselvam, the distribution of the ‘Two Leaves‘ symbol, and the AIADMK General Council resolutions from July 2022, which included the expulsion of Panneerselvam and his supporters from the party.
Background
The court had previously, in January, stayed the EC’s proceedings after EPS filed a petition. In this petition, EPS argued that the Election Commission should not intervene in internal party matters based solely on complaints from disgruntled members. EPS’s petition was filed after a complaint was made by an individual to the EC, asking for the freezing of the party’s symbol. Additionally, there is a civil suit currently pending in the court, which challenges EPS’s election as the General Secretary of the party.
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The petition to freeze the symbol was filed by expelled party members, including OPS Raveendranath, KC Palaniswamy, Pugalendhi, and three other leaders. These leaders have raised concerns over EPS’s actions in amending the party’s bye-laws, which allowed the General Council to elect the General Secretary. Originally, the party’s entire membership had the right to elect the leader, as per the vision of party founder MG Ramachandran.
“Nobody can snatch the rights of an AIADMK member from electing the General Secretary, not even the General Council,” Ravindranath had stated, making his stance clear against EPS’s changes.
After the passing of AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, EPS was appointed as the Chief Minister by Sasikala, who was then made the party’s leader. However, following a power struggle, EPS and OPS formed an alliance to remove Sasikala from power, agreeing to a dual leadership structure. This alliance eventually led to EPS expelling OPS and becoming the sole leader of the party.
ALSO READ: [Defamation Suit] DMK Moves HC Against AIADMK Chief EPS, Seeks Rs 1 Cr In Damages
Despite this, the AIADMK party has faced significant political challenges, including three consecutive election losses while being allied with the BJP.
This legal dispute is not the only issue EPS is facing. Earlier this week, senior leader KA Sengottaiyan caused a stir by boycotting a ceremony organized to felicitate EPS. Sengottaiyan publicly claimed that the event had no pictures of the party’s founding leader M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) or Jayalalithaa, both of whom are highly respected within the party. This act of defiance from a senior leader only adds to the internal struggles EPS is dealing with.
Despite this setback, EPS’s faction, known as ‘Team EPS,’ has made it clear that they will legally challenge the High Court’s ruling. They are preparing for further legal battles to retain control of the party’s symbol and leadership.
