Taking cognisance of the petitions challenging the appointment of V.K. Sasikala as the interim general secretary of the AIADMK, the Election Commission on Friday issued a notice seeking her response by February 28.
The letter has been dispatched to the Parappana Agrahara Prison in Bengaluru, where Ms. Sasikala is presently lodged, after the Supreme Court upheld her conviction in a disproportionate assets case.
The Commission has forwarded to her the copies of two petitions by Dr. V. Maitreyan and 11 other MPs challenging her appointment. The petitions were submitted on Thursday, urging the Commission not to approve her elevation, alleging that it was done in contravention of the party’s constitution.
The memorandum cited the party’s constitution rules as per which the candidate has to be a primary member for five years in continuation to be eligible for the post, pointing out that Ms. Sasikala had been removed in 2011 and then taken back the next year.
The 12-member delegation, comprising eight Lok Sabha and two Rajya Sabha MPs, said Ms. Sasikala was elected by the party’s general counsel and not by the primary members. As per the party’s constitution, the delegation submitted, the general council had powers to only frame policies and programmes, and not to elect the general secretary.
“The Commission has directed that your reply on the aforesaid petitions may be furnished latest by February 28, failing which it will be presumed that you have no comments to offer and the Commission will take appropriate action in the matter,” said the EC notice.
