The Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed the Madras High Court division bench decision that restored Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) as the AIADMK party’s single leader while rejecting
O Panneerselvam’s plea allowing EPS to continue as the party’s Interim General Secretary.
The judgement was pronounced by a bench headed by Justice Dinesh Maheshwari. The court was dealing with a batch of pleas relating to the tussle between former Chief Ministers O Panneerselvam (OPS) and EPS over AIADMK leadership.
On 11 January, the apex court bench reserved its verdict on the pleas relating to the tussle between the former Chief Ministers.
OPS has moved the Supreme Court against Madras HC’s decision that restored former Tamil Nadu chief minister EPS as the party’s single leader.
On 2 September 2022, a division bench of Madras HC in the appeal preferred by EPS had set aside a single judge’s order dated 17 August that nullified the results of the 11 July general council and ordered status quo ante as on 23 June in AIADMK affairs.
In its General Council meeting held on 11 July, the
dual-leadership model in the AIADMK was ended and OPS was expelled from the party for “anti-party” activities during the party meeting.
In the meeting, EPS was elevated as the interim General Secretary of the party.
Since the passing of former Chief Minister and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) General Secretary J Jayalalithaa, the party has been having a dual leadership with OPS and EPS leading it as coordinator and joint coordinator respectively.
However, recently, disputes arose between both leaders, with the EPS group pressing for unitary leadership.
Erode (East) Assembly bye-election is to be conducted on 27 February, the last date of nomination is on 7 February and the result is to be announced on 2 March.
On 3 February, the Supreme Court had asked the AIADMK party General Council to pass a resolution related to a candidate who will represent the party in the upcoming bye-elections of Erode (East) constituency in Tamil Nadu.
The court has also permitted expelled three members of the party including OPS to also vote in the General Council.
The bench further said that the Council’s decision regarding the candidate will be conveyed to the Election Commission by the party’s Presidium Chairman.