EC to hear dispute over AIADMK 'two leaves' symbol on October 6

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission will hear the dispute over the 'two leaves' symbol of the AIADMK on October 6, six months after it was frozen when the two warring factions of the party had staked claim to it.

Earlier in the day, it had decided to hear the two sides on October 5. But in a fresh communication, it said the hearing had been rescheduled for October 6. No reasons were given.

The EC has given the rival factions time till September 29 to file fresh submissions.

The commission has directed all involved in the dispute to submit the list of general council members and central executive committee members of the party as on December 5, 2016.

The two factions have so far submitted around 10 lakh affidavits staking claim to the symbol and the title of the party.

The Madras High Court had last week directed the Election Commission to decide before October 31 the matter related to the AIADMK symbol.

It had directed the EC to decide which faction enjoyed majority in the ruling party in Tamil Nadu and allot the 'two leaves' symbol to it before October 31.

Prior to the merger, the two faction led by Panneerselvam and Sasikala had staked claim to the symbol. The poll panel had frozen it, pending decision on their pleas.

Later, a large group of legislators led by Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami revolted against Sasikala, who is in jail in a graft case, and announced merger of the two factions.

Resolutions ousting Sasikala as interim general secretary and her nephew Dhinakaran as her deputy were also adopted at the party's general council meeting held on September 12.

On September 14, representatives of Dhinakaran had approached the EC urging it to declare as invalid the general council meeting, citing a high court order that said any decision taken at the impugned meeting will be subject to the final outcome in the appeal.