The O Panneerselvam (OPS) faction of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has objected to the procedure adopted by the AIADMK presidium chairman A Tamil Magan Hussain for the selection of the party candidate.

As per the interim orders of the Supreme Court, the candidate was to be selected by the members of the general council. The Court did not mandate a physical meeting because of the lack of time.

The form circulated by Hussain to the members asked them to say whether they approved or disapproved of the candidature of KS Thennarasu, who was announced as the candidate of the Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) faction.

For those who disapproved of Thennarasu's candidature, an option to propose the name of another person was given.

The general council members also had to authorise Hussain to sign the nomination papers.

Leaders of the OPS faction like R Vaithilingam, Panruti Ramachandran, JCD Prabhakar and Paul Manoj Pandian said that the procedure was like a 'referendum' because Hussain had decided on an 'official' option and asked members to approve or disapprove.

They added that it was wrong to have not included the name of their candidate, Senthil Murugan. Further, they said that while Murugan had filed his nomination papers, Thennarasu was yet to do so.

OPS is expected to challenge the procedure but according to political commentators, it would be difficult for him to succeed because the last date for nominations is tomorrow, i.e., 7 February.

Meanwhile, Hussain plans to submit the results of the procedure to the Election Commission, this afternoon.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu: Supreme Court Passes Interim Orders In AIADMK Dispute Before Erode East Bypoll Nomination Deadline