Tamil Nadu: ECI approves two-leaves symbol for AIADMK

The Election Commission of India has approved the 'two leaves' symbol for All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), in what seemed to be a mild victory for Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) faction. ECI also approved the AIADMK Presidium Chairman Tamilmagan Hussain to sign in forms A and B and also authorised candidates to contest on behalf of AIADMK on the two-leaves symbol.

Tamilmagan Hussain said that this is the first step towards winning the Erode East bye-elections, and also expressed hope that AIADMK would be winning the seat. However, Tamil Magan Hussain denied answering any questions regarding what would be the next legal action in the matter.

Earlier, the Supreme Court ordered the AIADMK party General Council to pass a resolution related to a candidate who will represent the party in the upcoming bye-elections of Erode (East) constituency in Tamil Nadu. Following this AIADMK Presidium Chairman Tamilmagan Hussain sent affidavit forms to all General Council members of AIADMK.

This brought criticism from the O Pannerselvam (OPS) faction who called the action as one-sided. The OPS faction also withdrew their candidate Senthil Murugan from Erode east by-election. The faction said that they don't want to be the reason for the freezing of the 'two leaves' symbol. But, they said that they will campaign for the symbol but not for the candidate.

However, the solution can be termed temporary as the Supreme Court clearly mentioned the verdict as interim arrangements only in relation to the forthcoming bye-elections. Meanwhile, today is the last day to file a nomination, and AIADMK candidate Thennarasu will be filing his nomination for Erode East bye-election.

Earlier on Saturday, Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) faction of the AIADMK circulated forms to gather support for its candidate, former MLA Thiru KS Thennarasu, among the General Council members for the upcoming Erode East bypolls. This comes after the Supreme Court asked the AIADMK party General Council to pass a resolution related to a candidate who will represent the party in the upcoming bye-elections of Erode (East) constituency in Tamil Nadu.

It also permitted the three expelled members of the party including O Panneerselvam (OPS) to vote in the General Council. The AIADMK has been following a dual-leadership formula with EPS as co-coordinator and OPS as coordinator, since the demise of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in 2016. The clamour for leadership has been growing louder for a single leader in the party since the district secretary meeting on June 14, 2022.

As of July 11, 2022, at the general council meeting of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Edappadi K Palaniswami was elected as the interim general secretary of the party.