New Delhi: AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) was announced the party chief Tuesday, hours after the Madras High Court rejected the challenge posed by his rival O. Panneerselvam (OPS).
OPS had gone to court questioning his expulsion from the party and EPS’ elevation as the party’s top leader. He also sought a stay on the AIADMK’s General Council elections, which Justice Kumaresh Babu rejected.
OPS and leaders P.H. Manoj Pandian, R. Vaithilingam and J.C.D. Prabhakhar had challenged the General Council’s resolution on 11 July, 2022 to remove them from the party. That meeting had also appointed former Tamil Nadu chief minister EPS as AIADMK’s interim general secretary.
On 23 February, the Supreme Court too also okayed EPS’ continuance as the interim general secretary.
However, the OPS faction argued before the single-judge bench of the Madras High Court that the party resolutions were arbitrary and against its democratic principles.
AIADMK’s counsel submitted that the resolutions were passed keeping in mind the wish of the party founder who wanted a single leadership.
EPS on Saturday had filed his nomination for the post of general secretary, a move slammed by OPS as a “pickpocket-like” approach, which, he said, subverted due process.
The protracted feud between EPS and OPS is not likely to end here as the OPS faction will now move a two-judge division bench, which will hear the matter Wednesday.
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