The Madras High Court’s green-signal for the key General Council meet for the AIADMK on Monday dealt a huge blow to O Panneerselvam (OPS) as it paved the way for a single leadership under Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappady K Palaniswami (EPS) within the AIADMK. The General Council, led by EPS, passed a resolution to remove OPS from the party’s primary membership, reported news agency ANI. Meanwhile, EPS was elected as the party’s interim General Secretary.
Here are the top highlights from the General Council meeting:
- The party’s General Council adopts a resolution to revive the powerful general secretary post, which was once held by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, and the post was abolished after her death in 2016. The elections will be held in four months’ time.
- After removing OPS, EPS announces Dindukal Srinivasan as the party treasurer in place of the expelled leader.
- Blaming OPS and Tamil Nadu CM Stalin, EPS, after taking charge, said, “We had sought protection for party headquarters. Despite our complaint, the police didn’t give protection. Today, CM MK Stalin & OPS together planned to destroy AIADMK (office). We strongly condemn this.”
- After being elected as the party’s interim general secretary, EPS attacks Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin over deteriorating law and order situation in the state. “It’s been 1 year since DMK formed govt with Stalin as CM. What have they done for the state? Law & order issues, drugs everywhere…Youngsters are on the wrong path,” said EPS, as reported by ANI.
- General Council passes resolution to end dual leadership within the party and create a post of deputy general secretary. The deputy general secretary will be handpicked by the general secretary.
- At the GC meeting, the party adopted a resolution seeking Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in the country, for Periyar, MG Ramachandran (MGR) and J Jayalalitha.
- AIADMK abolishes posts of coordinator and joint coordinator.
- The General Council (GC) Meeting presided by E Palaniswami got underway at the party office in Vanagaram after the HC’s go-ahead, where 16 resolutions are expected to be passed.
#WATCH | Chennai, TN | Some people injured in the clash that broke out between supporters of E Palaniswami and O Paneerselvam, on the sidelines of party's general council meeting being led by Palaniswami pic.twitter.com/oSruojJUVo
— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2022
Before the meeting, violent clashes broke out between the alleged supporters of the OPS and the EPS camps, with many reportedly injured. Visuals of supporters carrying AIADMK flags and throwing stones at each other surfaced, damaging banners and posters in the party office. Many people were seen barging into the party office by breaking the doors. Security has been tightened at the party office.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)
