The Election Commission hearing on the battle for AIADMK party symbol ''Two Leaves'' between the O. Panneerselvam and Sasikala factions concluded on Wednesday.
The issue of V.K. Sasikala's appointment as the interim general secretary of the party was not included in the hearing and the primary issue was the allotment of the symbol to either of the groups.
The Commission's order is expected by late evening or on Thursday, on the last day of the nomination of candidates for the R.K. Nagar by-election in Chennai.
The Panneerselvam faction, represented by lawyers C.S. Vaidyanathan and Guru Krishna Kumar, contended that Sasikala was convicted in a disproportionate assets case and, therefore, she could not contest or nominate anyone for the bypoll. She should not be allowed to nominate her nephew TTV Dinakaran as the candidate, they argued. Notably, the Commission has not recognised Mr. Dinakaran as the party office bearer.
On behalf of the Sasikala faction, four top lawyers, Salman Khurshid, Veerappa Moily, Mohan Parasaran and Aryama Sundaram, argued that the majority of the legislative representatives of the party was with her and, therefore, claimed the symbol.
