Tamil Nadu: EPS Moves Madras HC For Recognition Of R B Udhayakumar As Deputy Leader Of Opposition

Edappadi K Palaniswami, the Leader of the Opposition and AIADMK general secretary, has filed a petition in the Madras High Court.

As reported by The Hindu, he is seeking official recognition for R B Udhayakumar as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and ‘Agri’ S S Krishnamurthy as the deputy secretary of AIADMK Legislature Party by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly secretary and Speaker M Appavu.

Following the 2021 elections, the AIADMK became the second-largest party in Tamil Nadu with 66 members.

The AIADMK legislature party elected Edappadi K Palaniswami as its leader and O Panneerselvam as its deputy leader.

However, Panneerselvam has since been expelled from the party.

The AIADMK legislature party also selected S P Velumani as the whip and S Ravi as the deputy whip. K P Anbalagan and P H Manoj Pandian, who were later expelled from the party for anti-party activities, were elected as the secretary and deputy secretary of the AIADMK legislature party.

On 11 July, 2022, the AIADMK general council expelled O Panneerselvam, R Vaithilingam, and P H Manoj Pandian from the primary membership of AIADMK due to their involvement in anti-party activities.

After their expulsion, the three MLAs no longer held any roles or positions within the party.

However, on 17 July, 2022, the AIADMK legislature party elected R B Udhayakumar and 'Agri' S S Krishnamurthy as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Secretary, respectively.

Despite reminders sent to the Assembly Speaker, the seating arrangement in the Assembly hall was not changed.

The petitioner expressed concern that the expelled members continued to sit with AIADMK MLAs in the Assembly and interfered in discussions that should be exclusive to the principal opposition party, hampering the party's effectiveness in the House.