The principal opposition AIADMK in Tamil Nadu has scrapped its dual leadership posts of coordinator and co-coordinator, restoring the single leadership. In the party’s general council meeting held on the outskirts of Chennai this morning, former chief minister Edappadi Palaniswamy was selected as its interim general secretary, effectively removing his rival faction leader Mr O.Panneerselvam from the leadership position.
The general body has resolved to hold an election for the general secretary post within four months. Its resolution says strong unitary leadership is essential for the smooth functioning of the party and its revival.
The party general council meeting today was held, as the Madras High Court gave the go-ahead this morning.
After the demise of the party’s leader J.Jayalalithaa in December 2016, the party split into two factions led by the two former chief ministers Edappadi Palaniswamy and O.Panneerselvam. As a patch-up measure between the two factions, in the general council meeting in September 2017, late Jayalalithaa was named the party’s permanent general secretary, Mr O.Panneerselvam as the party coordinator, and Mr Palaniswamy as the co-coordinator.
However, the voice for a single leadership has been growing in the party. The unitary leadership idea was vehemently opposed by Mr O.Panneerselvam.
Meanwhile, within the city, the supporters of Mr O.Panneerselvam and Mr Edappadi Palaniswamy clashed in the party headquarters, leading to the arrest of a few. Mr O.Panneerselvam did not attend the general council meeting, he confined himself within the party headquarters for a long time.
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