The Election Commission on Friday resumed its hearing on the AIADMK’s ‘two leaves’ symbol dispute, during which the OPS-EPS combine staked a claim to the party symbol. The electoral body has fixed October 13 as the date for recording the submissions of V.K. Sasikala and T.T.V. Dhinakaran.
Lawyers representing the petitioners from the factions led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and O. Panneerselvam, which recently announced their merger, submitted that they constituted the “real AIADMK” and that they enjoyed the support of a majority of party legislators and members. It was contended that they had the support of 43 of the 49 MPs, 113 MLAs and 1,877 members.
Seeking more time, Mr. Dhinakaran – through his counsel N. Raja Senthoor Pandian — also moved an application seeking permission to cross-examine the witnesses who had filed fresh affidavits in support of the petitioners. The Commission is yet to decide on that issue.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohtagi, appearing for Mr. Palaniswami, stated that he and Mr. Panneerselvam were now jointly leading the party; that they commanded the strength in its legislative and the organisational wings; and that affidavits in support of the assertion had been submitted. He said Mr. Dhinakaran was not even a party member on December 5 last year, when Jayalalithaa, who was the Chief Minister, passed away. Senior advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan, representing Mr. Panneerselvam, countered Mr. Dhinakaran’s request for cross-examining the witnesses. It was argued that an attempt was being made to drag the proceedings.
Party leader S. Semmalai was represented by senior advocate K.V. Vishwanathan, who countered the other side’s argument that those who earlier supported Ms. Sasikala were now supporting the petitioners and it, therefore, amounted to a retraction.
It was submitted that all members were issued notices to attend the general council meeting, and most of them took part and resolutions were passed.
Senior lawyers Guru Krishna Kumar and Manoj Pandian, who appeared for E. Madhusudhanan, also countered Mr. Dhinakaran’s assertion that his faction enjoyed the support of the apex bodies of the parties.
The petitioners said Ms. Sasikala’s elevation as the party’s interim general secretary, all the decisions taken by her and Mr. Dhinakaran’s appointment were illegal.
