AMMK to be recorded as a political party, AIADMK disregards

The AIADMK chose to disregard T T V Dhinakaran's declaration that the AMMK would be recorded as a political party on Friday. It would remain just an outfit and would not become into a political party, AIADMK said. "Only a negligible number of people have joined the AMMK," said minister D Jayakumar.

"A political party should get 6% of the total valid votes polled during the general election and win at least one Lok Sabha seat and two assembly seats for it to be recognized as a state party. The AMMK will secure only 1%-2% votes and would not be recognized as a political party. They can at best register the party," the minister said.

In Madurai, when asked about Dhinakaran's decision, deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam said, "They (AMMK) can never stake claim over the AIADMK. We have been saying this from the beginning and they have realized it very late."

In November 2017, the Election Commission acknowledged the unified party, after finding that the association appreciated the backing of the widely held associates in its legislative and organizational wings.

In February, the Delhi high court upheld the commission's order. "The AIADMK is an iron fort and those who challenge the party will suffer. We will not," said AIADMK spokesperson JCD Prabhakar. The AIADMK leaders pointed to the outfits floated by veterans R M Veerappan, S D Somasundaram and S Thirunavukkarasar to claim how Dhinakaran's party also would disappear in future.