OPS had contended that only the Coordinator and the Joint Coordinator can convene the meeting as per law.
Putting an end to the present dual-leadership model in Tamil Nadu's principal opposition party AIADMK, party leader Edappady K Palaniswami, also known as EPS, was today elevated as the interim general secretary of the AIADMK.
The 2500-plus strong General Council empowered EPS to steer the party as a single supreme leader, while rival leader O Panneerselvam or OPS was expelled for "anti-party" activities. His supporters R Vaithilingam and P H Manoj Pandian were also expelled from the party.
The General Council meeting chaired by presidium chairman A Tamil Mahan Hussain commenced at around 9.15 am after a go-ahead from the Madras High Court. The plea was filed in the court by O Panneerselvam seeking a stay on the meeting called by the faction led by Edappady K Palaniswami.
Here are the live updates on AIADMK crisis:
EPS accuses OPS, Stalin of planning to 'destroy' AIADMK officeAfter he was appointed the AIADMK interim general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) slammed rival O Paneerselvam (OPS) and the MK Stalin-led DMK government.
In his address to the General Council members after his appointment, EPS hit out at OPS and said that the latter keeps on saying that he had sacrificed a lot for the party
"What did he do? We are the ones who sacrificed for the party."
Will approach court: OPSTerming his expulsion as invalid, OPS said that the General Council doesn't have the right to remove him and that he will approach the courts.
"General Council expelling me isn't valid...we will take legal action according to the law. they don't have the right to remove me," OPS told reporters here after AIADMK's General Council which was convened by EPS today adopted a resolution to remove the former OPS from the party's primary membership.
AIADMK headquarters sealedThe AIADMK headquarters here was sealed by authorities on Monday following violence and vandalism between supporters of rival leaders Edappady K Palaniswami (EPS) and O Panneerselvam in and around the party office.
While Panneerselvam (OPS) walked out of the party office with his supporters after asserting that he would approach court, pursue legal action and go to party workers seeking justice, revenue officials sealed the AIADMK headquarters, 'M G R Maaligai.' The action was taken in the wake of violence, authorities said adding everyone inside the party office were moved away by police. Senior police and revenue officials were on the spot.
"OPS In League With DMK": New AIADMK Boss
AIADMK Interim General Secretary E Palaniswamy (or EPS) launched a frontal attack on rival O Panneerselvam (or OPS) after ending the dual leadership system and ousting him from the party.
"OPS has unleashed violence and taken away party belongings from the office, in league with the DMK government," he alleged. "Police did not give security to the AIADMK headquarters despite pleas. This is proof of the deteriorating law and order."
Read MoreDindukal Srinivasan Named New AIADMK Treasurer
E Palaniswami announced Dindukal Srinivasan as AIADMK treasurer, replacing O Panneerselvam
OPS Hits Back At EPS
Panneerselvam said Palaniswami has no power to expel him because 1.5 crore AIADMK members have chosen him. 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.
O Panneerselvam from the party's primary membership The AIADMK General Council meet expels O Panneerselvam from the party's primary membership and his post of treasurer. Panneerselvam's supporters also expelled
AIADMK assures action against PanneerselvamThe AIADMK on Monday assured steps to ease rival leader and treasurer O Panneerselvam (OPS) out of the party, after its General Council members demanded action to expel him from the organisation.
AIADMK General Council members demand ousting O Panneerselvam from the party.
Organisational polls in 4 months to elect General Secretary.
The party has also formally resolved to hold organisational polls in 4 months to elect General Secretary. It has amended several bylaws, which includes fresh norms and prerequisites to fight for the top party position of General Secretary.
Meeting Empowers EPS As Single Supreme Leader of AIADMK
The general council meeting empowered EPS to steer the party, as a single supreme leader in his position as interim general secretary.
Edappady K Palaniswami elevated as AIADMK interim general secretary
In the meeting, the 2500-plus strong General Council elevated Edappady K Palaniswami as the interim general secretary of the party, abolishing the present dual leadership model. The meeting is also likely to strip O Panneerselvam's position as Treasurer.
EPS Closer To Be Appointed As Interim General Secretary
The general council has adopted resolution to appoint an interim General secretary, virtually making way for rival leader Edappady K Palaniswami's elevation as a possible single leader of the party.
AIADMK Tussle Live Updates: OPS, EPS factions clash at party headquartersEarlier, supporters of both factions threw stones at each other outside the party headquarters in Chennai ahead of the high court verdict. Visuals also showed some people damaging vehicles parked nearby.
High Court rejects OPS plea to stay AIADMK General Council meetIn a major setback to AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam, the Madras High Court today rejected his plea to stay the conduct of the general council meeting of the party, virtually making way for rival leader Edappady K Palaniswami's elevation as a possible single leader of the party.
Justice Krishnan Ramaswamy delivered the verdict on Monday morning, which allowed the EPS faction to hold the general council meeting, the supreme decision making body of the main opposition party in Tamil Nadu.