The Madras High Court has granted the Election Commission of India (ECI) permission to proceed with hearings regarding the leadership dispute within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the allocation of the party’s ‘Two Leaves’ symbol. However, the court made it clear that the ECI must first confirm its jurisdiction over such internal party matters before moving forward.
Expelled AIADMK leader O. Panneerselvam (OPS) expressed his approval of the High Court’s decision. He noted that the Election Commission had previously asserted its authority to handle the matter, much like a court. OPS further emphasized that the court’s ruling, which allows the ECI hearings to proceed and rejects the plea from Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), signals a victory for justice.
This ruling follows a petition filed by EPS, the General Secretary of AIADMK, which sought to prevent the ECI from investigating complaints filed by expelled party members who challenged his leadership and the legitimacy of recent party resolutions.
AIADMK officials have argued that the ECI accepted petitions from expelled members and was exceeding its authority. Senior leader C.V. Shanmugam contended that the ECI cannot interfere with a party’s internal matters, stating that the Commission’s role is limited to registering political parties and recording changes, not to verify the legality of those changes. He hailed the High Court’s decision as a win, aligning with the party’s position.
Previously, the High Court had issued a stay on the ECI hearings. However, OPS’s son, O.P. Ravindranath, and other AIADMK leaders, including Pugazhendi and K.C. Palanisamy, challenged this order. A bench led by Justices A. Subramanian and G. Arulmurugan ultimately allowed the ECI to continue its investigation in accordance with the established procedures for resolving party leadership disputes and symbol allocation.
This ruling paves the way for the ECI to hear petitions concerning AIADMK’s leadership and the use of its party symbol.
EPS, who has been leading the AIADMK since 2022, following the expulsion of OPS, has been the party’s head. Prior to that, both leaders served as joint heads of the party. OPS and his supporters have filed multiple legal challenges against his expulsion in the High Court and the Supreme Court.
(With Inputs From India Today)
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