Madras HC Says AIADMK General Council Meet Valid, Overrules Single-Judge Order

EPS, on 18 August, filed an appeal against the Madras High Court's order, which was in favour of OPS.

EPS had on 18 August filed an appeal against the Madras High Court's order in favour of OPS, which had invalidated the move to make EPS the party chief during a general council meeting of the AIADMK on 11 July.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

Madras High Court on Friday, 2 September, upheld the validity of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general council meeting on the appeal of Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS), setting aside its earlier single-judge bench order, which was in favour of O Panneerselvam (OPS), on the party leadership dispute.

EPS had, on 18 August, filed an appeal against the Madras High Court's order in the favour of OPS, issued by Justice G Jayachandran, which had invalidated the move to make EPS the party chief during a general council meeting of the AIADMK on 11 July.

Ex-MLA and EPS Camp advocate Inbadurai said, "Earlier order by single judge has been set aside by the division bench. They upheld the validity of the AIADMK General Council Meet."

What Happened in Court?

Senior Counsels CS Vaidyanathan, Ariyama Sundaram, and Vijay Narayan appeared for EPS while Senior Counsel Guru Krishnakumar, Arvind Pandian, and Advocate AK Sriram appeared for OPS and general council member Amman Vairamuthu.

EPS' side argued that the purpose of the meeting was met and that the party by-laws gave powers to the general council members. OPS, meanwhile, challenged the manner in which the notice to the 11 July meeting was issued.

The single judge had ordered status quo ante as on 23 June, the day when the posts of coordinator and joint coordinator of the party had lapsed, according to EPS, who claimed it would be impossible for them to function together.

EPS' Plea Against Single-Judge Bench Verdict  

In his plea, EPS claimed that the single-judge bench of the Madras HC completely ignored the fact that the posts of the coordinator and joint coordinator of the party had lapsed, and hence, under no circumstances could they jointly act to convene a meeting of the executive council or general council as directed by the judge.

EPS had previously said that the general council wished for a single leadership and that all the leaders of the council had been duly elected by the party cadre.

He also questioned how the party could be united if OPS approaches the court frequently while skipping the general council meetings and his ‘goondas’ vandalise the party office.

'Historic' Says EPS; OPS to Move SC

Reacting to the ruling on Friday, EPS termed it "historic," claiming that the HC has, in effect, endorsed his election in July as the party's interim chief.

"I happily welcome the Madras High Court Division Bench's verdict," EPS said in a statement.

Meanwhile, rival leader OPS said the high court verdict would be challenged in the Supreme Court, news agency PTI reported.

As the court delivered its judgment, AIADMK workers burst crackers, distributed sweets, and thronged Palaniswami's residence to greet him.

EPS also slammed OPS' supporters, saying that they were "diseases that kill from within."

(With inputs from PTI.)