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:
E Palaniswami announced Dindukal Srinivasan as AIADMK treasurer, replacing O Panneerselvam
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.
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.
The general council meeting empowered EPS to steer the party, as a single supreme leader in his position as 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.
In 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.
