The Election Commission of India has accelerated the process of deciding on the dispute between different factions of the AIADMK over the right to use the reserved ‘two leaves’ symbol. The proceedings have been expedited following a direction issued by the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court last week to dispose of the issue by October 31.
A notice issued by the Commission on Thursday stated that E. Madhusudhanan, O. Panneerselvam, V.K. Sasikala and T.T.V. Dhinakaran could file fresh written submissions, if any, by September 29 along with individual affidavits of support from MPs, MLAs and members of the general council as well as central executive committee of the party.
“You are also directed to submit the list of general council members and central executive committee members of the party as on December 5, 2016... You may also take notice that the Commission has fixed a hearing in the matter at 15.00 hrs on October 5. You may appear either in person or/and through duly authorised legal counsel,” the notice read.
In its September 15 order on a public interest litigation petition, the High Court Bench had said: “The Election Commission is not expected to keep proceedings of this nature indefinitely. This is more so in the subject case on account of the direction given by the principal seat of this court directing the Government to hold elections to the local bodies by November 17, 2017.”
A Division Bench of Justices K.K. Sasidharan and G.R. Swaminathan went on to state: “Any delay in the matter would seriously hamper the functioning of the political parties in their political activities... The Election Commission must fix a deadline for completion of pleadings and production of documents for the purpose of taking up the matter for final disposal.”