The court gave its order at 9 am, just 15 minutes before the meeting. (File)
Putting an end to the dual-leadership model in the AIADMK, Edappadi K Palaniswami, also known as EPS, was today elevated as the interim general secretary of the party. Rival leader O Panneerselvam or OPS has been expelled for "anti-party" activities.
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The AIADMK General Council cited difficulty in decision-making and discontentment among party cadre while scrapping the posts of Coordinator and Joint Coordinator, held by O Panneerselvam and Palaniswami respectively.
The General Council with over 2,500 members empowered Edappadi K Palaniswami to steer the party as a single supreme leader.
EPS and some senior party leaders accused OPS of siding with the DMK regime and working to weaken the AIADMK. Responding to his expulsion, O Panneerselvam said he was elected as the Coordinator by "1.5 crore" party workers and that neither EPS nor another leader had the right to expel him. "I will approach the court," he said.
In the meeting, the party formally resolved to hold organisational polls in 4 months to elect General Secretary. It has amended several bylaws, which include fresh norms to fight for the top party position. One of the norms says only a person with 10-year primary membership of the party can contest the polls.
The General Council meeting commenced after a go-ahead from the Madras High Court this morning. The court rejected a plea filed by O Panneerselvam seeking a stay on the meeting called by the faction led by Edappadi K Palaniswami.
Earlier today, supporters of both factions were seen on camera throwing stones at each other and damaging vehicles outside the party office in Chennai ahead of the high court verdict. The Tamil Nadu Revenue Department has sealed the party headquarters in the wake of clashes.
The OPS camp had contended before the court that only the Coordinator and the Joint Coordinator can convene the meeting as per law. And this meeting called by the newly-appointed presidium chairman is technically illegal.
However, team EPS argued that dual leadership is no longer in force as the previous meeting held on June 23 did not ratify the election of both leaders, and hence the presidium chairman convening the meeting, and the office-bearers sending invites is legal.
Last week, the Supreme Court permitted team EPS to convene the meeting in accordance with the law. While EPS wanted singular leadership, OPS wanted the present dual leadership model to continue.
The two leaders were working under the dual leadership model as per a truce adopted five years ago after the death of the then chief minister J Jayalalitha in December 2016.
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