Chennai: The Election Commission will conduct a crucial hearing on Wednesday on the fate of the ‘two leaves’ symbol of the AIADMK.
With two factions led by VK Sasikala and O. Pannerselvam staking rival claims for the symbol, which still holds sway over people from different generations since it is associated with the charisma of late M G Ramachandran, the Election Commission will conduct a detailed hearing and announce its verdict.
Here is an explainer on what are the options before the Election Commission and what could be in store for both factions of AIADMK.
Q What are the options before the Election Commission?
After the hearing on Wednesday (March 22), the Election Commission will have following options: Freeze the ‘two leaves’ for some time; allot the symbol to the VK Sasikala faction since they have the support of majority of the elected representatives, thus closing the debate once for all or reserve the verdict by maintaining status quo.
Q What happens if the symbol is frozen?
If the EC decides to freeze the symbol, none of the factions would be able to use the "magical" symbol in the by-elections to Dr R K Nagar assembly seat. Both factions of the AIADMK will have to look for different symbols to contest the bypoll. In 1989 elections, two factions of the AIADMK - VN Janaki and J. Jayalalithaa — contested the Assembly polls on different symbols. Freezing of the symbol would mean that the EC, prima facie, gives legitimacy to the claims made by OPS team.
Q What is status quo?
A: Status quo means a temporary reprieve for the Sasikala faction since they would be able to use the symbol for the byelection. This would effectively mean TTV Dhinakaran can contest the April 12 elections on two leaves symbol. This also means a moral defeat for the OPS faction, which is hoping that the EC would allot the symbol for their candidate.
Q What are the arguments put forth before the EC by Sasikala faction?
A: The Sasikala faction says since it has the support of 95 per cent of the General Council members of the AIADMK, 122 MLAs and 37 MPs, the EC should not entertain the OPS camp. They also contend the candidature of Mr Dhinakaran is valid since he was chosen by the Governing Council.
Q What are the contentions of the OPS camp?
A: OPS camp claims it has the support of cadres and also questions the appointment of Sasikala as the general secretary of the AIADMK. Since Ms Sasikala's appointment itself is illegal, the OPS camp contends her nomination of Dhinakaran as candidate is not valid. They also claim they are the "real AIADMK" since late Jayalalithaa appointed them to the respective posts.
(Compiled by ETB Sivapriyan)
