EC gives notice to Sasikala on plea challenging her appointment as AIADMK chief

Election Commission (EC) has issued a notice to AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala Natarajan, on a petition filed by Rajya Sabha member V Maitreyan, who is currently supporting O Panneerselvam.

As per an ANI report, Sasikala has been asked to respond to the notice by February 28.

VK Sasikala has been asked to reply by 28 February 2017: Election Commission (file pic) pic.twitter.com/g2ZQvtWMbS

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 17, 2017

A 12-member delegation of Panneerselvam faction led by Maitreyan met Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and other top officials on Thursday. They submitted a memorandum demanding that it decline approval of Sasikala's elevation to the top party post stating that she was her appointment as General Secretary violates norms.

In its 42-page petition, the delegation claimed Sasikala's election was violative of the party constitution as she was chosen by the general council of the party and not the primary members. It said the general council was empowered to frame policies and programmes, and not elect someone as general secretary.

The representation also quoted clause 30 (V) of the party constitution to say that a person was required to be a primary member of the party for five years for being eligible for the post. The Panneersalvam camp said she was expelled from the party on December 19, 2011 and taken back in March the next year, resulting in a break in her primary membership.

(With PTI inputs)