NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, JAN 30
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to submit its response regarding the ‘two-leaves’ symbol by February 3.The symbol is claimed by the Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) and O Panneerselvam (OPS) factions of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
Edappadi Palaniswami in his plea claimed that the Election Commission of India is refusing to accept his signature as AIADMK party’s interim general secretary during the nomination process ahead of the by-poll to Erode (East) Assemby seat.
Palaniswami, represented by senior advocate Aryama Sundaram and advocate Balaji Srinivasan, has filed two applications seeking the impleadment of the Election Commission and for a direction to the poll body to take on record his appointment as interim general secretary of the party and abolition of the post of Coordinator held by O. Panneerselvam in a general council meeting on July 11, 2022.
Earlier, EPS had complained that the poll body was not allowing him to sign on the requisite forms and authorise the party’s candidates for the Erode by-election.
The last date for filing nomination is February 7. The dates of polling and counting are February 27 and March 2, respectively.
“The Election Commission refuses to accept the signature of interim general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami citing the pendency of AIADMK general council case before Supreme Court,” Sundaram had submitted in a previous oral mentioning before the apex court.
