NEW DELHI: Amidst the ongoing political fight in Tamil Nadu, the rebel O Panneerselvam camp approached the poll panel on Thursday challenging VK Sasikala's appointment as the AIADMK's general secretary saying she was elevated in violation of the norms.
The delegation comprising 12 members led by Rajya Sabha MP V Maitreyan met Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and other top officials, and submitted a memorandum seeking commission’s attention over the manner in which AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala was elected. Terming her election as unlawful, the delegation requested the EC to nullify her appointment and all the decisions she took as the general secretary.
In its 42-page petition, the delegation claimed Sasikala's election was violative of the party constitution as she was chosen by the general council of the party and not the primary members. It said the general council was empowered to frame policies and programmes, and not elect someone as general secretary.
The representation also quoted clause 30 (V) of the party constitution to say that a person was required to be a primary member of the party for five years for being eligible for the post.
The Panneersalvam camp asserted she was expelled from the party on December 19, 2011 and taken back in March the next year, resulting in a break in her primary membership. Panneerselvam, the outgoing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, expelled from AIADMK by Sasikala, has claimed she lacked necessary powers to sack him.
After the Supreme Court upheld the trail court verdict in the disproportionate assets case, Sasikala swiftly moved to appoint Edapaddi Palanisamy as the legislature party leader.