Affidavit raises doubts about AIADMK unity

Ex-MP says the election of general secretary is the primary issue before the Election Commission

An affidavit submitted by former AIADMK MP K.C. Palanisamy before the Election Commission of India stating that an election must be held for the post of the party General Secretary has raised doubts if all is well within the merged factions of the ruling party. Following the unification of the factions led by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and his deputy O. Panneerselvam, a decision was taken at the party’s ‘general council’ to form a new organisational hierarchy sans the post of general secretary.

However, Mr. Palanisamy, who was in the faction led by Mr. Panneerselvam and had as early as January 6 moved the Election Commission challenging V.K. Sasikala’s appointment as interim general secretary, has questioned this decision. In written submissions dated September 27, he has reiterated that the original bylaws of the AIADMK (before the merger) provided for direct election of a general secretary by all members of the general council. He urged the EC to treat the election of the general secretary as per the bylaws as the “primary issue” to be decided by the poll body. This is in contrast to the amended bylaw which provided for newly created posts of coordinator and co-coordinator and a steering committee to run the affairs of the party.

While some sections speculated that Mr. Palanisamy was fighting a battle on Mr. Panneerselvam’s behalf to ensure that the latter eventually emerged as general secretary of the AIADMK, other sections felt the ex-MP’s intention was to draw attention to the neglect that some of those like him who were with Mr. Panneerselvam were subjected to in the reorganised party structure.

Those close to Mr. Palanisamy said his battle was not only about individuals. “Some leaders were given posts during the merger but what happened to thousands of cadre who earlier had the right to elect their general secretary,” asked a functionary, claiming that Mr. Palanisamy was fighting their battle now.

Affidavit questioned

However, a senior Minister, who has been strongly supporting the leadership of Edappadi K. Palaniswami in the party as well as the government, questioned, “How can an individual move the Election Commission with such prayers? In Vanagaram, 98% of the members of the council resolved for making

Amma (Jayalalithaa) our party’s permanent General Secretary.”

He said that a collective decision of the party functionaries was superior to that of any claims made by any individuals which went against the decisions taken at the party general council meeting last month.

A senior leader who had backed Mr. Panneerselvam conceded that “some issues were brewing among supporters of the former Chief Minister even before the merger. But, most of us left everything behind, since we thought the party was important and keeping the government in power was paramount.”

Journalist R. Mani, who did not wish to read too much into the development, said, “The prayers made by Mr. K.C. Palanisamy in January this year and again last week shows that he has been consistent with his stand that an election must be held for the post of general secretary.”