EPS-OPS wins battle equally: Unified factions get back AIADMK party’s ‘Two Leaves’ symbol

Chennai, November 23: Back in April when the Supreme Court froze the symbol of AIADMK EPS-OPS faction after the tussle amongst the opposition parties, after months when the factions came together, today the EPS-OPS faction of the AIADMK won back their ‘Two Leaves’ symbol. The Election Commission has decided that the E Palaniwami-O Panneerselvam merged faction deserves the party symbol. 

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhakagam AIADMK retained their ‘two Leaves’ symbol. Chief Minister Palaniswamy said that the Election Commission’s decision is good and fair. “They have given this decision based on the number of cadres, members of parliament and members of legislative assembly who are on our side. We submitted affidavits to prove that a majority of party cadres are with us. We are happy.”

 

AIADMK MP V Maitreyan said that party is still waiting for the hard copy but has received oral information. The party’s IT wing Joint Secretary Hari Prabhakaran said in a tweet that the official announcement will be up on the Election Commission website by 3 pm.

After the death of Former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, the two factions (the Palaniswami-Panneerselvam group and the one led by ousted member VK Sasikala and her nephew TTV Dinakaran), involved in the fight over the AIADMK symbol. Due to which the Election Commission froze their symbols in the month of April and issued new ones to the warring factions of the party– at that time led by Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam. Later, a large group of legislators led by Palaniswami revolted against Sasikala – who is now serving four years in jail in a corruption case – and announced the merger of the two factions. Also Sasikala and her nephew have been removed from the party.