AIADMK tussle: Big win for EPS as Madras HC allows crucial meeting

Chennai: In a setback for AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam amid leadership tussle in the party, the Madras High Court on Monday allowed the general council meeting of the AIADMK, convened by party co-ordinator E Palaniswami (EPS), to be held today to decide the future leadership structure of the party.
The High Court rejected a plea by O Panneerselvam (OPS) to stall the meeting which proposes to revive the post of interim general secretary and abolish the posts of coordinator as joint coordinator. While the meeting was scheduled to begin at 9:15 am, the court gave its order at 9 am.
After the demise of Jayalalithaa in 2016, the party has been following a dual-leadership formula with EPS as co-coordinator and OPS as coordinator. The clamour has been growing louder for a single leader in the party since the district secretary meeting on June 14 this year.
In comparison to OPS, EPS enjoys the support of a large number of party MLAs and district secretaries and today’s meeting is expected to elevate EPS to the post of general secretary and abolish the dual leadership structure.
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Meanwhile, AIADMK leader E Palaniswami arrived at the party office in Vanagaram on the outskirts of Chennai for the General Council meeting. Workers gathered in large number to welcome EPS holding banners with the slogans such as “EPS as single leader”.