During a special Sunday session, a single bench of the Madras High Court allowed holding the election to the AIADMK’s general secretary post as per schedule on March 26. The court however directed the party not to declare the results as it will take up O Pannneerselvam’s plea on March 22.
The order comes a day after AIADMK interim chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) set the ball rolling for his ultimate elevation in the party on Saturday. Rival leader O Panneerselvan moved Madras High Court later in the day opposing EPS’ nomination.
Senior Counsel CS Vaidyanathan appeared for AIADMK & EPS along with Senior Counsel Vijay Narayan. Senior Counsel C Manishankar represented OPS.
The single judge of the Madras High Court asked why the election was announced when a case related to the resolutions was pending in the court. Justice Kumaresh Babu of the Madras High Court, however, said that all election procedures can be conducted.
During the argument, EPS camp said that the voter list of the party was long prepared and that the party cannot function without conducting elections.
EPS vs OPS Fight Rages On
On Saturday, EPS filed his nomination for election to the party’s powerful General Secretary post. OPS slammed the EPS camp for his “pickpocket-like” approach to holding elections, alleging that the due process was not followed.
AIADMK is scheduled to hold an election for the post of general secretary on March 26.
EPS’ nomination comes nearly a month after the Supreme Court greenflagged his continuance as the AIADMK interim chief, dealing a blow to OPS in his running feud with his rival over the leadership issue.
Within hours of Palaniswami filing the nomination on Saturday, Panneerselvam addressed a press conference, alleging the election process was not in conformity with party laws.
In the organisational polls held every five years, the highest office is elected by primary members. Only the elected GeneralSecretary can later conduct organisational polls and appoint functionaries. Further, membership forms have to be given during this period to include new members and renew membership for existing ones. Following this, identity cards will be given to both, OPS said.
The Palaniswami-led AIADMK had earlier announced the schedule for the election for the General Secretary post, announcing that the election would be held on March 23.
Palaniswami’s election is expected to be unanimous as the party has been rallying behind him, as manifested in the July 11, 2022 General Council where OPS and some of his aides were expelled. The GC resolutions have been challenged in the Madras High Court by OPS’ camp.
(With Agency Inputs)
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