"Both groups shall also be allotted such different symbols as they may choose from list of free symbols for current bypoll in RK Nagar", the EC added.
In what seems to be an apparent victory for O Panneerselvam's faction, the Election Commission has frozen the name and symbol of AIADMK. "Neither of the two groups shall be permitted to use the symbol ‘Two Leaves’ of AIADMK," the Election Commission stated. It also added, "Both groups shall also be allotted such different symbols as they may choose from list of free symbols for current bypoll in RK Nagar. Both groups are allowed a further and final opportunity of adducing documents and affidavits latest by 17th April, 2017. Neither of the two groups (O Panneerselvam and V.K. Sasikala) shall be permitted to use AIADMK name."
"We will now take up the issue and I am confident that we will get the symbol back: There will be no impact of this in the upcoming RK Nagar bypoll: TTV Dinakaran (Sasikala faction) on AIADMK symbol," TTV Dinakaran (Sasikala faction) on AIADMK symbol.
The OPS camp has said that it has not yet received an official confirmation. The high-stakes hearing on the claims of rival AIADMK factions over the party's election symbol commenced on Wednesday.
During the first half of the hearing, the OPS camp questioned VK Sasikala's elevation to the party top post, besides seeking to freeze the party symbol, before the poll panel. On the other hand the Sasikala camp claimed it had majority support of party delegates, MLAs and MPs, and the claims of Panneerselvam camp were inconsequential
Top legal eagles have been hired by both the sides to put forth their views before the Election Commission. Two former law ministers and a former Additional Solicitor General -- M Veerappa Moily, Salman Khurshid and Mohan Parasaran are representing the Sasikala camp. The O Panneerselvam side is being represented by senior Supreme Court advocates CS Vaidyanathan, S Krishnakumar and B Srinivasan.
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