The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the Madras High Court’s order allowing Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) to continue as AIADMK interim general secretary rejecting former chief minister O. Paneerselvam (OPS) faction’s challenge.
Dismissing appeals by OPS and allowing one by EPS, a bench of Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice Hrishikesh Roy said, “… the order dated 02.09.2022, as passed by the Division Bench of the High Court … stands affirmed.”
It, however, made it clear, “… we need to make it clear again that though several submissions have been made on behalf of the appellants assailing the validity and correctness of the resolutions said to have been adopted in the meeting dated 11.07.2022 and in counter to that, the respondents have attempted to justify the said decisions/resolutions but we have chosen not to deal with any of those contentions.”
The top court further said, “In the interest of justice, we leave all the related aspects concerning the said resolutions open to be agitated, but strictly in accordance with law; and all the objections and rebuttals of the contesting parties are also kept open.”
The judgment came on a batch of pleas relating to the tussle between former Chief Ministers OPS and EPS over AIADMK party leadership. Both EPS and OPS had moved the top court on the issue.