The case filed by O. Pannir Selvam and Vairamuthu against the permission order for the AIADMK General Committee meeting held on July 11 came up for hearing today before Justice Jayachandran. Senior advocates Guru Krishnakumar, Arvind Pandian and Sriram, who appeared for Panneerselvam and Vairamuthu, argued that there was a split in the party after Jayalalithaa’s death, and then the two factions convened the General Assembly in 2017 to dissolve the post of general secretary and create the posts of coordinator and co-coordinator. They also explained about the amendment.
They argued that if the election of coordinator and co-coordinator is not approved in the general body, then both the posts will become vacant and the same applies to the members of the general body, and it is wrong to say that both of them could not act because the general body did not approve, and the rules regarding convening of the general body were not followed.
Advocates for Panneerselvam and Vairamuthu argued that no meeting can be convened without the approval of the coordinator and co-coordinator, and that the will of one and a half crore members cannot be invalidated by 2,500 general body members.
Senior Advocate Vijay Narayan for Edappadi Palanichami before starting his arguments, why did Jayalalitha abolish the post and create it again by claiming that she is the Permanent General Secretary? Also, was the General Assembly meeting conducted as per party rules? The judge mentioned that it should also be explained.
Edappadi Palanichami’s senior advocate, coordinator and co-coordinator signed a joint motion and pointed out that there was no mistake in calling for a general meeting by the chief club administrators as the party’s secretary and treasurer made rules to manage the party if there was no coordinator and co-coordinator. With the approval of the members, Tamilan Usayn was appointed as the permanent Speaker.
The Panneerselvam side objected to this and said that Panneerselvam had left before the Chairman’s announcement and had not proposed or suggested the Tamil son Usen.
As the majority in the party prefers a single leadership, on July 11, the General Assembly resolved to dissolve the posts of Coordinator and Co-Coordinator and elect an Interim General Secretary, Edappadi Palanichami was selected as the Interim General Secretary, and it was decided to hold the General Secretary election in four months.
Edappadi Palanichami emphasized that since the decisions made by both of them will be valid from December 2021 to last July 11, when the party rules were amended regarding the election of coordinator and co-coordinator, the appointment of the general committee members appointed by them will also be carried out.
He argued that the general committee was convened according to party rules and if 1 in 5 members of the general committee gave a letter to convene the general committee, it was the party rule that the meeting should be held within 30 days.
Justice Jayachandran adjourned the hearing to 10:30 am tomorrow as arguments in the case were not completed.