'We Do Not Recognise Edappadi Palaniswami As Interim General Secretary Of AIADMK', Says Election Commission

The Election Commission of India (ECI) informed the Supreme Court today (2 February) that it does not recognise Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) as the interim general secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

EPS had got himself declared as the interim general secretary during the general council meeting in July 2022, in which O Panneerselvam (OPS) and his supporters were expelled.

Before this meeting, OPS was the Coordinator and EPS was the Joint Coordinator of the party.

The ECI response said that it did not recognise the new designation of EPS because the meeting itself has been challenged by OPS in the Supreme Court and the Court is yet to give its final judgement.

If the ECI had recognised EPS as interim general secretary, only his signature would be necessary for the nomination form.

Prior to this, according to the party constitution, both of them used to sign nomination forms for party candidates in their capacity of Coordinator and Joint Coordinator respectively.

Regarding the 'two-leaves' symbol, the ECI said that neither faction had approached it under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order,1968 to notify it of a dispute.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu Erode East Bypoll: OPS Asks Supreme Court To Dismiss EPS' Petition Asking The EC To Recognise Him As Interim General Secretary