On July 11, Edappadi K Palaniswamiwas elected as interim General Secretary of the party.
Chennai: In a breather for sidelined AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam (OPS), Madras High Court on Wednesday ruled in favour of status quo as on June 23 on leadership in the party. The court also cancelled elevation of Edapaddi K Palaniswami (EPS) as party’s interim general secretary.
On July 11, Edappadi K Palaniswamiwas elected as interim General Secretary of the party. The decision to this effect was taken during party’s general council meeting in which nearly 2500 senior party members elected EPS for the top post.
Rival leader from the party, O Panneerselvam had faced expulsion for indulging in ‘anti-party’ activities with the motive to weaken it. Party’s newly elected general secretary EPS and his supporters have alleged that OPS is damaging the party by siding with the leaders of ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu.
Reacting over the development, O Panneerselvam had said that neither EPS nor any other office bearer has right to take such action against his as his elevation as coordinator done by “1.5 crore” party workers. He said that his opponents have no right to expel him from the party post. His expulsion had also resulted protest by his supporters at party headquarters. They had stormed the party office opposing action against his leader.
Amid protest at party headquarters, EPS camp had alleged connivance of OPS and DMK government behind it. They had said that despite requesting for police protection and lodging complaints, police did not provide protection to the leaders. They said that both OPS and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin together planned to destroy AIADMK party office.
