Did Sasikala's selection as AIADMK general secy complicate matters for her faction?

After the 'two leaves' symbol was frozen by the EC, both factions would now have to pick a symbol on Thursday morning.

Which symbol would the two warring factions in the AIADMK choose? The AIADMK's two leaves cannot be used by both the Sasikala and OPS factions as it was frozen by the Election Commission of India on Wednesday night. Both parties would have to pick a symbol on Thursday morning.

The two parties are also likely to approach the Supreme Court seeking to either stay or reverse the interim order of the ECI. In 1988, when two factions fought within the AIADMK after MGR's death, the EC had passed a similar order. Jayalalithaa's faction picked a 'cock' while the Janaki faction was allotted 'two pigeons.'

[History repeats: When AIADMK fought with a 'cock' and 'two pigeons']

The AIADMK's deputy general secretary T T V Dinakaran said he was surprised. "I will win the election and get the symbol back," he said. OPS, on the other hand, said he was disappointed and shocked. He said that such an order was passed despite them submitting strong evidence. The party's deputy general secretary Dhinakaran said that he would approach the Supreme Court and challenge the EC's order.

The matter is not an easy one. While evidence of support would determine this case, there are some complications due to the appointment of Sasikala as the general secretary of the party. It was claimed that she was never formally elected, but merely appointed as general secretary of the party. Her selection is also under challenge and the allegation is that it was done against the by-laws of the party.

OneIndia News