Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) was on Monday appointed as the interim general secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), thus ending the dual leadership in the party. In his first decision, EPS expelled O Panneerselvam, who had moved the court to stall the crucial General Council meeting of the party.

OPS said he will challenge EPS's decision to expel him in court. "General Council expelling me isn't valid. We will take legal action according to the law. They don't have the right to remove me. I have been elected (as party coordinator) by 1.5 crore cadres of our party. As per law, we will challenge it in court. I will meet the cadres and seek justice," said OPS.

The General Council adopted resolutions for reviving the general secretary post and to ensure electing a person for the post by the primary members of the party. The election will be held 4 months from now.

The General Council Meeting also adopted a resolution demanding Bharat Ratna for Periyar, MG Ramachandran (MGR) and J Jayalalitha.

The party has terminated the coordinator and joint coordinator posts. It has decided to create a Deputy General Secretary post, who will be selected by party's General Secretary. EPS also announced Dindukal Srinivasan as the AIADMK treasurer. The post was held by OPS.

After the party's general council meet, AIADMK changed the profile picture on Twitter.

#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/Y3ixT6C3hU

— AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) July 11, 2022

Earlier, the Madras High Court on Monday rejected a plea from Panneerselvam to stay the conduct of the general council meeting of the party at a marriage hall on July 11. Justice Krishnan Ramaswamy delivered the verdict on Monday morning, which allowed the EPS faction to hold the GC meet, the supreme decision-making body of the main opposition party in Tamil Nadu.

Ahead of the meeting, supporters of Palaniswami and Panneerselvam clashed outside the party headquarters, police said. Some persons were seen hurling stones at each other and some damaging vehicles parked nearby, as per TV visuals. Dome men were also seen forcing their way into the party office by breaking open the doors. Later, Panneerselvam arrived at the party office, flanked by his supporters including R Vaithilingam and Manoj Pandian.

Section 144 has been imposed around the party's headquarters following the clash that erupted in the morning.

Chennai, Tamil Nadu | A clash-like situation breaks out between supporters of AIADMK leaders E Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam near party headquarters ahead of the General Council meeting, today pic.twitter.com/rSW9LsQFJE

— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2022

Panneerselvam greeted his supporters from a portico and also waved the party flag. There were "Ayya OPS vazhga" (hail OPS sir) slogans by his supporters.

First Published:Jul 11, 2022 10:01 AM IST