: Countering charges levelled by P.H. Pandian, senior AIADMK leaders on Tuesday defended the appointment of V.K. Sasikala as general secretary of the party and argued that her nomination was not against the rules of the party.
‘Paucity of time’
Responding to observations made earlier in the day by Mr. Pandian, questioning the legality of Ms. Sasikala’s appointment, senior party leader Panruti S. Ramachandran told a press conference that in view of the “paucity of time” for conducting elections involving primary members of the party, the general council could recommend the name of a person to remain as general secretary in charge. “There is no provision in the rules that prohibits the general council from doing so till the polls are held,” he said, adding that the rules did provide for having the general secretary in charge.
Mr. Ramachandran, who was No. 3 in the Cabinet headed by party founder M.G. Ramachandran during 1977-1987, maintained that by making Ms. Sasikala interim general secretary, “the rights of primary members have not been taken away. They will be able to exercise their rights as and when they get an opportunity.”
Newly appointed organising secretary K.A. Sengottaiyan charged that Mr. Pandian was being disloyal to the party even though his family members were also rewarded with political and government posts.
