With the camps in the AIADMK, led by coordinator O. Panneerselvam and co-coordinator Edappadi K. Palaniswami, sticking to their guns on the issue of single leadership versus dual leadership, the focus has turned to the possible impact of the December 2021 amendments to the AIADMK’s bylaws on the creation of a post above the two top positions.
According to the amendments, candidates for the two posts will be elected through a single vote, and the rule that the primary members will elect them is beyond change and correction. The general council has the authority to relax, or provide an exemption from, any rule, but it has no authority to amend or relax the rule governing the mode of election of the coordinator and the co-coordinator — it is the primary members who will elect the two.
Senior leaders say Mr. Panneerselvam and Mr. Palaniswami were elected in December last year under the new system and they will hold their posts for five years and remain the authorised signatories of the party for nominating any one as a party candidate in elections to Parliament, the Assembly and the local bodies. Under these circumstances, any move to create a post above them or revive the post of general secretary may attract litigation.
