ECI has no authority to interfere in party matters: Former Minister C Ve Shanmugam

CHENNAI: Rajya Sabha MP and former minister C Ve Shanmugam said the ECI has ‘no authority’ to interfere in the internal matters of political parties. He pointed out the Madras HC and the Supreme Court's past rulings, affirming this stance. Shanmugam referred to the ECI's statement before the High Court, where the commission noted that its decision would be subjected to the outcome of a pending civil suit.

He made these comments while being accompanied by party spokesperson D Jayakumar and Deputy Leader of Opposition RB Udhayakumar.

Political critic and senior journalist Tharasu Shyam described the court order as ‘erroneous’.

He questioned the validity of the Election Commission of India's (ECI) authority to intervene in the internal affairs of political parties, alluding that doing so would be a deviation from its primary role.

"This will be challenged in the Supreme Court. Moreover, no true loyalists would want to see MGR's victory symbol frozen. As a result, it will benefit EPS, as he will become the defender of the party symbol and lead the legal battle to protect it, " he remarked.

Shyam further pointed out that the ECI had already accepted the amendments to the AIADMK's by-laws, which granted Palaniswami the authority to sign Forms A and B for candidates fielded under the party's symbol. He noted that Palaniswami had signed these forms for the party's Lok Sabha candidates. "How can the ECI now go against its own decision?" he asked.