EC acknowledges EPS as AIADMK general secretary, changes to party constitution

The EC’s decision comes as two factions of the AIADMK, one led by EPS, and the other by former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (OPS), have been fighting for control of the party. In February, the Supreme Court upheld a Madras High Court order allowing EPS to continue as the interim general secretary.

Referencing his letters to the EC on March 28 and April 13 as well as the Supreme Court and High Court judgments, the EC wrote on Thursday: “The amended rules and regulations of the party and change in the office-bearers communicated vide your letters under reference have been taken on record subject to any further court order/direction.”

The EC’s April letter came on a day when a division bench of the Madras High Court was hearing a plea by Panneerselvam against his expulsion from the party last year and the elevation of Palaniswami.

The AIADMK workers welcomed the EC’s decision by bursting firecrackers and distributing sweets to the people.

Palaniswami described the development as a “success”, and said that all the 1.5 crore party members were jubilant.

EPS said that by getting EC’s recognition as well, the party had established that final victory had been for justice, and that the efforts of “betrayers” had been defeated. —With PTI inputs