Next ECI hearing on ‘Two Leaves’ tomorrow, order likely by weekend

CHENNAI: The Election Commission of India is likely to issue its final order on the AIADMK’s ‘Two Leaves’ symbol dispute by the weekend. After hearing arguments from both sides on Monday, the full Bench of the ECI posted the next hearing for November 1. Sources said most likely that would be the last hearing.

On Monday, Abhishek Singhvi, counsel for the T T V Dhinakaran faction, submitted a rejoinder to the faction led by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.
The Dhinakaran faction also raised the statement of Tamil Nadu Minister K T Rajenthra Bhalaji and said the remark had shown the ECI in bad light.

The faction also reiterated the charge that affidavits filed by the ruling faction of the AIADMK on September 12 were forged and fabricated.

Vijay Hansaria, another counsel for the Dhinakaran faction, argued that the AIADMK party constitution allowed appointment of deputy general secretary and hence appointment of Dhinakaran to the the post was justified.  “Neither the law nor the AIADMK constitution prevents convicted person from holding party positions and as such, Sasikala can hold the post of general secretary of the party,” he added.

Sources said former MP K C Palaniswamy, who had recently filed a petition seeking directions for conducting general secretary election within six months, did not insist on it during the hearing on Monday.

No insistence

Former MP K C Palaniswamy, who had recently filed a petition seeking directions for conducting general secretary election within six months, did not insist on it on Monday