CHENNAI: In the ongoing tug of war between the two factions of the AIADMK on securing the ‘two leaves’ symbol of the party, the full bench of the Election Commission will hear the arguments of the factions headed by VK Sasikala and O Panneerselvam on March 22 at 10.30 am and pass orders ahead of the high voltage bypoll to RK Nagar Assembly constituency.
The panel might also freeze the symbol for some time.
It is also expected that the Commission could give its ruling on whether the appointment of Sasikala as interim general secretary of the AIADMK was valid.
March 23 is the last date for filing of nominations for the by-election and the Form B for symbol should be submitted by the candidates at least by March 24, the day of scrutiny.
Immediately after the announcement was made, AIADMK deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran, who was visiting RK Nagar constituency, said, “we will present our case before the EC on March 22 and will retain the Two Leaves symbol.”
Speaking to Express, the AIADMK counsel, dealing with the communications of the Election Commission, said, “The EC has directed us to file our response with regard to the Two Leaves symbol by March 20. We have sought time up to March 22.”
On March 10, Sasikala had filed her response regarding the validity of her appointment as interim general secretary of the AIADMK.
Representatives from both factions met Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and had reiterated their stand.
Meanwhile, the issue took a new turn on March 16 when the Panneerselvam faction filed a petition seeking allotment of Two Leaves symbol for their candidate E Madhusudanan. Following this, the EC directed Sasikala to file her response by March 20 and her lawyer had sought time till March 22. Now, the Commission has asked both factions to appear before the full Bench on March 22 and the EC might be passing its orders the same day.
Meanwhile, PH Manoj Pandian, a leader of the Panneerselvam faction, on Friday submitted a petition to the EC staking claim for the symbol.
“The person who has to authorise allotment of the symbol is the general secretary according to the AIADMK by-law. Sasikala being an interim general secretary, that too not elected by the party members, cannot communicate to the Commission,” he told Express.
As ‘two-leaves’ symbol holds the key to victory, both factions are leaving no stone unturned.