CHENNAI: In what is seen as a move to unsettle the VK Sasikala faction in the high-voltage election to RK Nagar Assembly segment, leader of AIADMK rebel faction O Panneerselvam on Wednesday appeared before the Election Commission (EC) for a personal hearing, during which he staked claim to the party’s ‘two leaves’ symbol.
Accompanied by top leaders of his faction, including three MPs, he met the EC authorities in New Delhi and presented his case on the issue of symbol and against the appointment of VK Sasikala as party interim general secretary.
“The power to claim symbol during the polls is vested only with the general secretary. In case the post is lying vacant due to extraordinary situation, the party presidium chairman has the right to claim it. When such is the case, our presidium chairman E Madhusudanan only has the authority to stake claim for the symbol,” Panneerselvam told reporters after his meeting with EC officials.
He said a strong case was made out before the EC challenging the appointment of Sasikala as the interim general secretary in contravention of by-laws of the party.
Panneerselvam also said he urged the EC to take action to hold election to choose the general secretary of the party by observing a monitoring officer.
Candidate in two days
Replying to repeated questions on the selection of candidate for the RK Nagar by-poll, Panneerselvam said the contestant will be announced in two days.