EPS-OPS requests for two leaves symbol, EC schedules hearing for October 6

Now that the AIADMK is safe until the next hearing by the Madras High Court, the ruling faction urged the Election Commission to restore the ‘Two Leaves’ symbol and party name that were frozen on March 22.

The party symbol was frozen after AIADMK split into two factions following the death of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

The Election Commission has rescheduled the hearing on the AIADMK’s ‘two leaves’ symbol dispute for October 6. It has informed all parties to the dispute that they can file any fresh submissions by September 29.

A delegation led by former minister K P Munusamy (representing the OPS camp) and ministers D Jayakumar (representing the EPS camp) visited the commission headquarters and submitted the 12-page affidavit signed by Panneerselvam and Palaniswami in their capacity as coordinator and joint coordinator. They said, "The AIADMK is now functioning as one party with the two groups having unified. Therefore, there can be no embargo now on the use of the two-leaves symbol allotted to the party, AIADMK," reported the Times of India.

The resolutions also include the one that cancelled VK Sasikala’s appointment as the general secretary of the party. They have also mentioned that Jayalalithaa is eternal general secretary of the party now.

“The AIADMK is now functioning as one party with two groups having unified. Therefore, there can be no embargo now on the use of the ‘Two Leaves’ symbol. Si­n­­ce (late) Jayalalithaa has been recognised as the eternal ge­neral secretary and the post has been abolished by creating coo­rdinator and joint coordinator, the question of VK Sasikala’s appointment as general secretary does not arise for consideration. By the resolutions passed unanimously at the GC meeting, the wish of the majority of the party has become clear,” the petition said.

• AIADMK
• Two leaves symbol
• Election Commission