This was the first general council meeting convened by the ruling AIADMK after the warring factions, one led by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and another headed by O Panneerselvam, merged on August 21. DH File photo
Clearing the decks for Tuesday's executive and general council meeting of the unified AIADMK, the Madras High Court on Monday refused to restrain the ruling party from organising the meet after hearing a petition filed by rebel MLA Vetrivel, supporting ousted leader TTV Dhinakaran.
Earlier in the day, Vetrivel's petition against the party general council meeting was dismissed by a single judge. The justice also slapped Rs one lakh on Vetrivel for filing a vexatious case.
However, the legislator went on to appeal against the single justice C V Karthikeyan's order with another bench comprising two judges.
When the petition came up for hearing in the late evening, Justice Rajiv Shakdher and Justice Abdul Quddhose, said that all the decision and resolutions adopted at the AIADMK general council meeting were subject to court's final order and posted the matter for further hearing on October 24.
As the court cleared the hurdle, the AIADMK meeting, which will be attended by about 1,500 council members, is expected to invalidate the decisions taken by both Sasikala and her nephew Dhinakaran with regard to the appointment of office bearers.
"Meeting will be held as per schedule and as per the party law. All the members were expected to attend it", senior AIADMK leader and Fisheries minister D Jayakumar said.
He also said action will be initiated against those members who do not participate in the meeting, which will be held at the Srivaari Kalyana Hall at sub urban Vaanagaram, one of the most sought after venue for political parties to hold their crucial meetings in the recent years.
This was the first general council meeting convened by the ruling AIADMK after the warring factions, one led by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and another headed by O Panneerselvam, merged on August 21.
Soon after the patchup, AIADMK Rajya Sabha member R Vaithilingam said the general council would be convened soon to decide on removing Sasikala from the party.
Though Palaniswami already "sidelined" Dhinakaran from the party saying his appointment as deputy general secretary was against the law, the meeting might also pass a resolution to remove both Sasikala and her nephew to put an end any further speculation.
During the meeting, a decision to retrieve the party’s mouthpiece Namadhu MGR and television channel Jaya TV will also be taken.
The general council meeting is being held at a time when the opposition leaders led by DMK working president and leader of the opposition M K Stalin and a group of rebel MLAs along with Dhinakran twice submitted petitions to Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao urging him to direct the Chief Minister to seek a trust vote in the Assembly.
Reacting to party council meeting, Dhinakaran said he would take right decision soon. "Wait and see, surgical procedures will begin soon", he added.
Permission denied for Dhinakaran to organise meeting in Trichy
In another setback to TTV Dhinakaran, Tamil Nadu government authorities refused permission to the "ousted" AIADMK leader for organising a public meeting at Trichy district against NEET exam on September 16.
Dhinakaran, who had earlier called off the protest following the Apex order on NEET, said he would organise the meeting at Uzhavar Sandhai ground at Trichy.
However, Trichy corporation officials refused permission to conduct the meeting saying that the ground was already booked by someone on the same date.
Sources from Dhinakaran camp said that they would move the court to organise the meet.