Lawanya Sharma
Published on: July 7,2022 at 16:35 IST
The Supreme Court on Monday stayed, The Madras High Court Division Bench’s Order staying the passing of resolutions in AIADMK General Council Meeting in the dispute happening between Edapaddi K Palaniswami (EPS) and O Panneerselvam (OPS) regarding the leadership of AIADMK party.
The Special leave Petition has been filed against the order passed by a Division Bench comprising Justice Sunder Mohan and Justice Duraiswamy on June 23 restraining the AIADMK General Council from passing any resolutions. As the battle for control over AIADMK reaches the Supreme Court, the SC Bench advised the leaders to decide the internal matters of the party in the general council instead of approaching court for interference.
Senior Advocate Maninder Singh said in court that there was an agreement between AIADMK senior leader O Panneerselvam (OPS) and AIADMK cadres supporting Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) for joint control of the party.
The disputes relates to the changing of the dual-leadership structure of AIADMK. After the passing away of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha, AIADMK had been following a dual-leadership model with OPS and EPS leading it as coordinator and joint coordinator respectively. However, recently, disputes arose between both the leaders, with EPS group pressing for unitary leadership.
Answering to this, the Supreme Court said, “What happens within the party are the matters which are happening there. Can the appellate court substitute its discretion for that of the internal party?”
Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for the OPS group, submitted that the single bench had not recorded any reason in the order and added that the Division Bench has passed a reasoned order. As regards the concern expressed by the bench regarding the contempt proceeding, Singh said that the June 23 meeting.
Reiterating its statement, the Supreme Court said that “friendships and disputes have to be worked out internally.”
Senior Advocate Guru Krishnakumar, also appearing for the OPS group, submitted that the aggrieved party can approach the Court if the meetings are held in violation of the bye-laws.
The Madras High Court, on June 23, ruled that no unannounced resolutions could be taken up at the meeting of the AIADMK General and Executive councils. This order cripples the camp led by EPS from initiating any move to become the single leader of the AIADMK.
