The Madras High Court on Wednesday lifted a stay that had prevented the Election Commission of India (ECI) from investigating the internal disputes within the AIADMK, including leadership conflicts and the allocation of the party’s ‘Two Leaves’ symbol.
The ruling is seen as a setback for AIADMK’s incumbent chief, Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
A division bench comprising Justices R. Subramanian and G. Arul Murugan passed the order in response to petitions filed by expelled AIADMK members P. Ravindranath (son of former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam), K.C. Palanisamy, and Va. Pugazhenthi.
The court ruled that the ECI could now proceed with its probe into disputes surrounding the AIADMK leadership, the party’s 2022 general council resolutions—where Panneerselvam and his supporters were expelled—and the allocation of the party’s electoral symbol.
Additionally, the court dismissed Palaniswami’s plea to block the ECI from examining these issues. However, it clarified that the ECI should only admit petitions regarding these matters if it deems them fit for inquiry and must conduct any probe strictly under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Rules.
Following the verdict, Va. Pugazhenthi welcomed the decision, stating that with the stay vacated, the ECI was now free to investigate the dispute. He also claimed that since civil cases concerning leadership and symbol allocation remain pending in court, Palaniswami cannot use the title of General Secretary or the AIADMK name.
This ruling adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing power struggle within AIADMK, which has been divided between factions loyal to Palaniswami and Panneerselvam. With the Election Commission now able to intervene, the party’s leadership battle and the fate of its election symbol could see further legal and political twists in the coming months.
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