New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed the Madras High Court’s decision that had restored Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) as the AIADMK’s single leader.
The top court’s decision was a setback to rival party leader O. Paneerselvam (OPS) in this protracted wrangle over the party’s leadership.
The apex court dismissed OPS’ challenge and allowed EPS to continue as interim general secretary of the party.
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Supporters of Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) faction burst into celebrations as Supreme Court allowed EPS to continue as AIADMK's Interim General Secretary pic.twitter.com/HA2u9rzyi4
— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2023
In the Tamil Nadu party’s general council meeting on 11 July, 2022, the AIADMK executive council had appointed former chief minister EPS as interim general secretary and expelled OPS for “anti-party activities”.
However, before the election of EPS in this July meeting, a single bench had ordered a status quo in the party leadership, and said any general council meeting should be convened with the joint consent of both EPS and OPS.
After being expelled, OPS moved the Madras High Court again, arguing on the merits of this single-bench order.
In 2 September last year, a division bench reversed the single bench order for status quo, observing that it would lead to a “functional deadlock” as there was no possibility of OPS and EPS acting jointly.
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