Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Thursday denied allegations, made by sidelined AIADMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran, that the AIADMK's proximity to the BJP had resulted in a favourable decision in the Two Leaves sumbol case. "No one is behind or in front of us. The Election Commission, not T.T.V. Dhinakaran, made this ruling. It was based on the facts before it," he said.
Agreeing with Mr. Panneerselvam, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said the Election Commission's awarding of the Two Leaves symbol to his faction of the AIADMK was like a lashing of the whip to his opponents.
"I agree with the Deputy Chief Minister. This decision by the Election Commission is like a whip-lashing to those who wanted to see this government fall," said the CM at a press conference, which he addressed with Mr. Panneerselvam at the party's Avvai Shanmugam Road headquarters.
Mr. Palaniswami also said that Mr. Dhinakaran is persona non grata to the AIADMK. "The Election Commission has reinstated the office bearers as on December 5, 2016. On that date, Mr. Dhinakaran was not even an AIADMK member," he said.
Both the Chief Minister and his deputy characterised the ECI's decision as a good and fair one. "Nyayam vellum (Justice shall prevail)," said the CM.
Mr. Palaniswami had made similar comments on Thursday morning after a meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. "I am very happy that the Election Commission has given a good and fair decision. Our side had more supporters and legislators. We did not win because of the BJP, we did so because our arguments were better. We provided sufficient evidence: 90% of the party cadre were with us," Mr. Palaniswami had said.
The CM also said that he party will discuss and pick a candidate for the R.K. Nagar bye-election in due course.