Chennai: The Madras high court has dismissed PIL challenging election of V.K. Sasikala as the “interim” general secretary of AIADMK, as withdrawn. Former AIADMK MP K.C. Palaniswamy, who filed the petition, wanted the High Court to direct the Election Commission of India to appoint an independent officer to conduct the election for the post.
When the matter came up for hearing before the first bench comprising acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G. Ramesh and Justice R. Mahadevan as to how such a relief can be sought through a PIL since it is an inter-party issue.
When the Bench decided to dismiss the petition, the petitioner requested the court to permit him to withdraw the plea. In the petition, Palaniswamy submitted that after the death the former Chief Minister and AIADMK General Secretary, J Jayalalithaa, V.K. Sasikala was nominated to the post. Later, it was declared that she was appointed as “interim” general secretary in a general council of the party conducted on December 29, 2016.
The important decision was taken in the meeting contrary to the bylaws of the party. The general council does not have the power to take such decision, he stated.
