The O Panneerselvam-Edappadi Palaniswami tussle now means AIADMK candidates now cannot use the ‘two leaves’ symbol in the local body bypolls.
According to one of the candidates, O Panneerselvam and Edappadi Palaniswami did not sign the forms that would let them use the party symbol in the election. (Creative Commons)
The leadership tussle between AIADMK leaders O Panneerselvam (OPS) and Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) seems to have cost members of the party dearly.
As a result, AIADMK candidates will no be able to contest on the party’s “two leaves” symbol and will be considered independents in the local body elections on 9 July.
According to one of the party candidates, OPS and EPS did not sign the forms that would let them use the party symbol in the election.
This meant there was a failure by the AIADMK to authorize the contestants to the state election commission as official candidates of the party.
Monday was the last day for the contestants to file a nomination to the poll panel.
The Tamil Nadu State Election Commission is conducting the bypolls across 510 wards in rural and urban local bodies, which were left bereft of representatives for various reasons, an AIADMK functionary from Theni told South First.
The official AIADMK party symbol. (Twitter/AIADMKOfficial)
“Amid the leadership brawl between our two leaders, EPS and OPS, we were not able to contest on the party’s ‘two leaves’ symbol,” the functionary and candidate said.
“We are very disappointed by the actions of EPS and OPS. The two leaders should have come forward and authorised us to the state election commission,” he told South First.
Another candidate told South First that the absence of the party’s symbol would cost them vote in many wards.
On Wednesday, OPS wrote a letter asking EPS to send him the required forms to authorise the candidates with the poll panel, which EPS apparently refused.
Speaking to South First, AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan claimed it was OPS’ fault that the candidates now have to contest without the party’s symbol.
“OPS delayed the process till the last minute and sent a letter to EPS showing his readiness to sign the A and B forms after the nomination date. He purposely delayed signing the letter,” said Sathyan.
“He continues to delay signing on specific party-related issues, which ultimately stops the party from functioning. It has been going on for the past four years, which is why the party now pushes for single leadership,” he added.
The public and the party supporters are aware of what OPS is trying to do, Sathyan told South First.
