Chennai: Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam's petition before the Election Commission seeking to declare “null and void” V. K. Sasikala's appointment as interim general secretary of the AIADMK will go unchallenged with the AIADMK set to withdraw their affidavits submitted in defence of her induction.
After the AIADMK office-bearers passed resolutions against Dhinakaran's expulsion and appointment spree, a delegation of leaders headed by finance minister D. Jayakumar left for New Delhi to “follow up” on the decisions taken at the Monday's meeting.
Sources said the ministers would formally inform the Election Commission about the merger of the two factions and withdraw the documents that they have filed in defence of Sasikala's appointment as interim general secretary. Though they cannot withdraw the affidavits filed in defence since individual party cadre signed them, the EPS camp will withdraw their objections to the petition filed by Panneerselvam.
“By this, the petition will go unchallenged and the Election Commission can take a quick decision. If the Election Commission takes the decision and declares Sasikala's appointment null and void, it would much easier for us,” a senior AIADMK leader said.
The EPS faction had submitted “numerous documents” supporting Sasikala's appointment as interim general secretary by the General Council on December 29 arguing that everything was done according to the by-laws of the AIADMK.
Panneerselvam had filed the petition in February after he rebelled against Sasikala, arguing that she cannot hold the post of General Secretary since she had not completed five years as party primary member. Sasikala was inducted back into the AIADMK in March 2012 after she was expelled in December 2011.
“I am travelling to New Delhi to follow up on the decision taken at the Monday's meeting. We will let you know what happens,” Jayakumar told reporters at the airport here. “Appropriate announcements will be made at appropriate time,” he said, when asked whether petition supporting Sasikala's appointment will be withdrawn.
