Tamil Nadu: Edappadi K Palaniswami, O Panneerselvam approach speaker on assembly seating arrangement

CHENNAI: Amid a battle in the courts to take control of the AIADMK, the groups led by Edappadi K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam have knocked on the doors of Tamil Nadu legislative assembly speaker M Appavu again, seeking recognition for their factions.
In a letter to Appavu on Tuesday, Palaniswami pointed to the election of Tirumangalam MLA R B Udayakumar, replacing Panneerselvam as the deputy leader of the opposition, and said that he should be allowed to take part in the business advisory committee (BAC) meeting on October 17. For the EPS group, the recognition would ensure Udayakumar sits next to Palaniswami, replacing Panneerselvam.
Appavu had recently said that the seating arrangements in the House were his prerogative and no one should ask for change of seats based on their "likes and dislikes". He said they were elected on the two leaves symbol and the former CMs would behave in a dignified manner in the House. The CM, leader of opposition, senior ministers, deputy leader of opposition and opposition leaders are members of the committee.
EPS and OPS factions wrote to speaker on new posts
The committee chaired by speaker Appavu will have its sitting soon after the House makes obituary references, adopts a condolence resolution and decides on the number of days for the session.
Palaniswami had submitted a letter to the speaker in July about the expulsion of Panneerselvam, R Vaithilingam and Paul Manoj Pandian from the primary membership of the party.
He wrote another letter soon after the legislature party chose Udhayakumar as AIADMK deputy floor leader and Polur MLA Agri S S Krishnamurthy as deputy secretary, a post held by Pandian.
Panneerselvam too wrote a letter last week, quoting the interim order of the Supreme Court on September 30, which had recorded the statement of his counsel that there would not be any election to the post of general secretary till the present matters were heard.
"Since the speaker announced recently that the letters were under consideration, another letter was submitted today (Tuesday) to recognise Udhayakumar for the BAC," said a senior leader.
"Panneerselvam appealed to the speaker not to take any decision suo motu in the party affairs and his words should be taken note of, given that the case is pending in the SC," said a source.
Panneerselvam continues to call himself AIADMK coordinator.