Madras HC allows ECI proceedings in AIADMK leadership dispute but within parameters

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Wednesday set aside its stay order restraining the Election Commission of India (ECI) from conducting proceedings in the AIADMK's internal dispute and directed the poll body to strictly stick within the jurisdiction of the Election Symbols Order, 1968.

A division bench of Justices R Subramanian and G Arul Murugan dismissed the petitions moved by the AIADMK challenging the election body's proceedings on the several representations made against the party including from OP Ravindranath, son of former chief minister O Panneerselvam.

While vacating the stay order against the ECI, the bench made it clear that the poll body should strictly conduct the proceedings within the jurisdiction of paragraph 15 of the Election Symbols Order, 1968.

Several individuals including OP Ravindranath, Va Pugazhenthi, KC Palanisamy, and Ramkumar Adityan had made representations before the election commission against the many ammendments made in the AIADMK bye-laws as well as the election of Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) as the general secretary of the party.

Based on the representations, the election commission had initiated proceedings to decide the matter. Aggrieved by this, EPS had then moved a petition alleging that the election commission did not have powers to adjudicate on representations challenging the party’s organisational polls and internal disputes.

On January 9 this year, the Madras High Court bench had temporarily restrained the ECI from continuing with its proceedings against the AIADMK.

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