OPS set to repeat ‘Dharma Yudham’

Former Chief Minister and AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam (OPS) on Monday said that his rival Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) has distorted the by-laws of AIADMK to conduct general council meeting. OPS organized a meeting with district secretaries and functionaries of AIADMK at a private hotel in the city.

The meeting was presided over by Panruti S Ramachandran and all the 263 members who were appointed as functionaries by OPS, attended the meeting. In the meeting, his supporters requested him to take a tour in southern districts and he was asked to start his tour from Trichy.

Addressing his supporters, he said, “Leaders MGR and J Jayalalithaa created a separate space from the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu politics. MGR saw the party as the cadres’ party and Jayalalithaa followed in his footsteps. MGR did not want to give the power to remove the party leadership to its general council members and he was firm in his stand. 

General council meeting

The general secretary of the party could not be elected by MLAs  and district secretaries. As per the by-law created by MGR, it should be selected by the party cadres.” Pointing out that the by-law was followed even after the demise of Jayalalithaa, he said that as per the wish of party cadres,  dual leadership was brought to the party and the posts of coordinator and joint-coordinator were created. “But now, EPS has distorted the by-laws to its maximum to conduct general council meeting and it was the height of autocracy. As per the by-law, only cadres could select the party leadership and nominations should be signed jointly by the coordinator and joint coordinator.

The general council not just cancelled the existing resolutions but also passed 23 resolutions without prior announcement. The resolutions had no mention of party leadership. EPS is planning to take hold of the party,” he accused. The drama played by those holding important positions in the party has ended badly, he said, adding that the posts of coordinator and joint coordinator remain valid till 2026 and even the ECI letter was addressed to the party coordinators.

“The power to sign the nominations lies with the coordinators. It's not the Court judgement, but the public’s judgement is final. We will be beginning another Dharma Yudham to protect the party by-laws. Public’s judgement will come soon. EPS’s candidate does not have any value at the Erode East by-poll,” he added.