Supreme Court allows EPS to stay AIADMK chief
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami will remain at the helm of AIADMK party, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday, in a major blow for his rival O Panneerselvam.
The top court upheld an order of the Madras High Court after considering a batch of cases concerning changes to the party’s rules during a controversial general council meeting in July. The top court dismissed the petitions filed by Panneerselvam.
“It’s a wonderful verdict. Justice has won. Betrayers have been unmasked. OPS’s chapter is over. No more ties with OPS. We will work with increased vigour. Jayalalithaa had said AIADAMK will continue for 100 years after her. Today, the order has made it true,” EPS said.
The verdict is the latest turn in the upheaval triggered by the death of AIADMK’s matriarch J Jayalalithaa in December 2016 which first catapulted OPS as her successor and later EPS. The AIADMK has since been locked in a power struggle that has surfaced every few months.