Setback for Sasikala camp, EPS-OPS faction wins back AIADMK's 'Two Leaves' symbol

The E Palaniswamy-O Panneerselvam faction of the AIADMK on Thursday won the two-leaf symbol after months of infighting.

The Election Commission ruled in favour of the Palaniswamy-Panneerselvam camp, saying that the unified AIADMK is the real AIADMK.

The poll panel also said that TTV Dinakaran, VK Sasikala's nephew, did not have party support. The EC had frozen the party symbol after OPS walked out of the AIADMK. The merged factions of the party had moved the Election Commission in September.

On November 8, the EC had concluded hearing the AIADMK symbol case.

Initially two factions led by Panneerselvam and Sasikala had staked claim to the 'two leaves' symbol. The poll panel had frozen it, pending a decision on their pleas.

Later, a large group of legislators led by Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami revolted against Sasikala, who is in jail in a graft case, and announced a merger with Panneerselvam faction.

Resolutions ousting Sasikala as interim general secretary and her nephew Dhinakaran as her deputy were also adopted at the party's general council meeting held on September 12.

On September 14, representatives of Dhinakaran had approached the EC urging it to declare as invalid the general council meeting, citing a high court order that said any decision taken at the impugned meeting will be subject to the final outcome in the appeal.