‘Two Leaves’ symbol goes to unified AIADMK

The Election Commission on Thursday alloted the AIADMK's "two leaves" symbol to the Panneerselvam-Palaniswami combine, holding that it enjoyed majority in the party's legislative and organisational wings.

Also read: A throwback to another battle for AIADMK’s ‘Two Leaves’ symbol

Putting an end to almost an year-long dispute between warring factions, the Commission

said it was of the view that "the petitioners group led by E. Madhusudhanan, O. Panneerselvam and S. Semmalai, and also supported presently by the impleading applicant E.K. Palaniswami, the present Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, enjoys support of majority members in the legislative and organisational wings."

Celebrations in party headquarters

Earlier in the day, Mr. Palaniswami announced that their group had received the symbol, which led to celebrations in the AIADMK headquarters in Royapettah, Chennai.

"Our side had more supporters and legislators. We did not win because of the BJP; we did so because our arguments were better. We provided sufficient evidence: 90% of the party cadre were with us," he said on the sidelines of a Central government function.

AIADMK, the story so far

Power struggle

A power struggle broke out within the party soon after the former Chief Minister,Jayalalithaa, passed away on December 5 last after a prolonged illness.

The Commission froze the symbol on March 22 , disallowing its use in the R.K. Nagar by-election in Chennai. The decision came after the ECI heard the O. Panneerselvam and V.K. Sasikala factions, which staked their claim to the party symbol.

The factions were told to furnish affidavits in their support by April 15, but it was extended to June 16 on their request.

Cancellation of bypoll

Following rampant abuse of money power to influence voters, the by-poll was cancelled. However, the symbol remained frozen, as the Commission had recognised a split in the party and the dispute was yet to be decided.

T.T.V. Dhinakaran charged with bid to bribe poll panel

In view of the Madras High Court order dated September 15, which had directed the Commission to decide the issue by October 31, the electoral body issued fresh notices to the parties to the dispute for resumption of proceedings.

The notices to E. Madhusudhanan (who then represented the Palaniswami group), Mr. Panneerselvam, Sasikala and Mr. Dhinakaran, also informed them that they could file any fresh submission by September 29.

In the meantime, the Panneerselvam and Palaniswami factions arrived at an understanding, ousted Sasikala and Mr. Dhinakaran and declared their merger. The decision was communicated to the Commission.

Mr. Dhinakaran sought more time to submit evidence of the claim to the party symbol, which the ECI denied.

Power of a symbol: EC had to freeze AIADMK’s ‘Two Leaves’

The Commission resumed the hearing on October 6, concluded it on November 8 and reserved its order. However, it could not meet the November 10 deadline set by the Supreme Court for deciding the dispute.

Sasikala-Dhinakaran faction's plea

During the hearings, the Sasikala-Dhinakaran faction challenged the genuineness of many fresh affidavits filed by the Panneerselvam-Palaniswami combine, seeking permission to cross-examine the affiants.

It accused the rivals of violating the party's constitution rules and submitted that the party symbol should rather remain frozen.

The Panneerselvam-Palaniswami combine said they enjoyed majority in the party's legislative and organisational wings, even when the disputed affidavits were not taken on record. It accused the other group of unnecessarily dragging the proceedings.