Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palanisamy said on Thursday that the Election Commission (EC) has allotted the AIADMK's 'Two Leaves' election symbol to the faction led by him and his deputy O Panneerselvam.
V Maitreyan of EPS-OPS faction told ANI on Thursday afternoon that the party is waiting for the “hard copy” of EC’s order but they have received information from the poll body “orally that the two leaves symbol has been allotted to” the EPS-OPS faction.
Palanisamy also addressed the mediapersons and said: “EC has given judgement in our favour, we are very happy. Majority of party workers supported us".
The chief minister refuted the allegations that the EC's judgement was in the favour of his faction because of his proximity with the BJP.
"It is wrong. We had facts on our side and majority of MLAs, MPs and party workers were with us. All this was taken into consideration," he said.
The development is a setback to the deposed party leader VK Sasikala, who is currently serving her term in a Bengaluru jail in a disproportionate assets case, besides her nephew and sidelined deputy general secretary TTV Dhinakaran.
The issue has been lingering since April in the aftermath of the announcement of by-poll to RK Nagar Assembly constituency here.
However, the April 12 by-election was cancelled days ahead on allegations of use of money power and malpractices.
The EC had then frozen the AIADMK party name and its symbol after then factions had staked claim over it.
Panneerselvam, who first revolted against Sasikala, later merged his faction with the one led by Palaniswami after the latter rebelled against her.
(With inputs from PTI)
