OPS Applauds Madras HC Ruling Permitting ECI to Investigate AIADMK Internal Conflicts
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Synopsis
O. Panneerselvam (OPS) has welcomed the Madras High Court's decision allowing the ECI to investigate AIADMK's internal disputes, impacting leadership and symbol issues. The ruling is seen as a setback for Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), who expelled OPS. Legal battles continue as the fate of AIADMK's 'two-leaves' symbol hangs in the balance.
Key Takeaways
- Madras High Court lifts stay on ECI investigation
- OPS supports ECI's authority in party matters
- V. Pugazhendhi sees ruling as a legal victory
- Legal disputes over 'two-leaves' symbol escalate
- EPS faces challenges from expelled members
Chennai, Feb 12 (NationPress) O. Panneerselvam (OPS), the ousted AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, has expressed his approval of the Madras High Court's ruling that lifts the stay on the Election Commission of India (ECI) to investigate the internal conflicts of the party, including leadership disputes and symbol issues.
This decision by the division bench of the Madras High Court is perceived as a disadvantage for AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), who had previously expelled OPS and his followers from the party.
The court had previously issued a stay order that prevented the ECI from conducting inquiries into the internal disputes of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which the Madras High Court has now overturned.
The court instructed the ECI to follow the jurisdiction as stated in Paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
The division bench, which included Justices R. Subramanian and G. Arul Murugan, dismissed the petitions from AIADMK that contested the ECI's authority to investigate various grievances regarding the party's leadership choices.
In a statement to reporters in Theni, OPS remarked, “Numerous court decisions have affirmed that the ECI is empowered to intervene in political party matters under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The Madras High Court has reinforced this by allowing the ECI to continue its investigation into AIADMK's internal issues.”
V. Pugazhendhi, one of the petitioners, celebrated the ruling as a triumph in their prolonged legal struggle. “We will persist in our efforts before the ECI to liberate the party and its symbol from Palaniswami's grip. We will also escalate our case to Delhi to contest EPS's claim over the 'two-leaves' symbol,” he stated.
Pugazhendhi clarified that they do not aim to freeze the AIADMK's legendary 'two-leaves' symbol, established by the late M.G. Ramachandran (MGR). However, he insisted that they must pursue legal avenues to thwart what he termed an “evil force” from exploiting the symbol.
OPS also questioned EPS's hesitation to confront the situation before the ECI.
It is noteworthy that former Theni MP P. Ravindranath, OPS's son, along with other expelled party members K.C. Palaniswamy and V. Pugazhendhi, had approached the ECI in July 2022. They contested amendments to the AIADMK's bylaws and EPS's designation as General Secretary, alleging that EPS had seized control of the party and ousted dissenters. Meanwhile, AIADMK insiders informed IANS that the party is preparing to challenge the Madras High Court's ruling in the Supreme Court. A senior AIADMK figure allied with EPS asserted that no genuine party loyalist would wish to see MGR's victorious symbol frozen. He suggested that this legal dispute would only bolster EPS's standing, casting him as the protector of the party's heritage and symbol.
This leader pointed out that the ECI had already accepted the AIADMK's bylaw amendments, permitting EPS to sign Forms A and B for candidates running under the party's banner. “How can the ECI now contradict its own ruling?” he queried.
Rajya Sabha MP and former minister C. Ve. Shanmugam also commented, stating that the ECI has “no jurisdiction” to meddle in the internal affairs of political parties. He referenced previous rulings from both the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court that supported this position. Shanmugam also mentioned the ECI's own declaration before the High Court, which noted that its final judgment would depend on the outcome of an ongoing civil lawsuit.
As legal disputes escalate, the leadership conflict within the AIADMK shows no signs of resolution, and the future of the party's 'two-leaves' symbol remains a pivotal factor in the ongoing struggle for power.
