AIADMK factions approach Election Commission to claim merger
By Express News Service | Published: 22nd September 2017 06:38 PM |
Last Updated: 22nd September 2017 08:30 PM | A+A A- |
(From left) Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and CM Edappadi K Palaniswami at the general council meeting of AIADMK in Chennai. (Express Photo| D Sampathkumar)
NEW DELHI: Two factions of the AIADMK approached the poll panel on Friday to claim their merger and informed the commission about the ouster of interim general secretary VK Sasikala.
“Two factions headed by O Panneerselvam and Edappadi Palaniswami have merged to protect Amma's legacy, to respect sentiments of party cadres and for good governance. The commission was informed about this today,” said senior party leader KP Munusamy after the meeting.
Leaders said that they also informed the election commission about resolutions adopted in the general council meeting on September 12 on removing Sasikala and invalidating all appointments made by her, including of her nephew Dhinakaran as deputy general secretary.
“Only Late J Jayalalithaa will be the permanent general Secretary. Apart from this, party top leaders Panneerselvam and chief minister Palaniswami will be the Coordinator and Joint Coordinator till elections are held to the posts. We have also informed the EC about this,” KP Munusamy said.
Party leaders Jayakumar, RB Udayakumar CV Shanmugam, Manoj Pandiana and MP V Maitreyan accompanied Munusamy.
Prior to the merger, the two faction led by Panneerselvam and Sasikala had staked claim to the two-leaf symbol of the AIADMK. The poll panel had frozen the symbol, 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.
The EC has informed the factions staking claim to the party's symbol that it will hear the matter on October 5.
The EC has given the rival factions time till September 29 to file fresh submissions on their general council members and central executive committee members as on December 5, 2016.
