The Supreme Court has today recorded a statement by the Edappadi K. Palaniswami counsel that the election to the post of general secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) will not take place till the matter between O Panneerselvam and Edappadi Palaniswani is heard by the Apex Court.
A Bench led by Justice M. R. Shah has posted the case for November 21 and said there should not be any further aggravation of hostilities between the two camps.
Mr Palaniswani was represented by Senior advocates Aryama Sundaram C. S. Vaidyanathan and advocate Balaji Srinivsan, who assured the court that we will not proceed with any election.
The Division Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday had a few days back set aside an order in favour of Panneerselvam passed by a single judge.
The Division Bench had allowed the appeals challenging the verdict of the Single Judge of the High Court, who had nullified the party’s July 11 general council meet when Mr. Palaniswami was elected interim general secretary and Mr. Panneerselvam was expelled from the party.
Mr. Panneerselvam had requested the Apex against the Division Bench decision saying that everything can be done and should be done in a manner prescribed under the law and by-laws.
The Apex court orally said that even if a person has 100% majority, it must be done in a meeting held according to the law
The Bench addressed Mr. Palaniswami’s side, saying he could continue as the interim general secretary, “but we will say no further elections for general secretary”.
The senior lawyer Mr. Vaidyanathan said the rules were followed diligently and we have followed the inner party democracy.
Mr Panneerselvam was represented by Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar who maintained that his client continues to be the Coordinator of the party and that his tenure would be over by December 2026.
Mr.Kumar argued saying that we are the Coordinators,however Mr Palaniswami has contended otherwise and argued that both their posts lapsed on June 23.
A notice has been issued by the apex court in the case stating that the parties should complete pleadings well before the next hearing date.