The DMK gave the seat to the Indian Union Muslim League in 2019. IUML candidate K Navas Kani is sitting MP from the seat and has been fielded again by the DMK-IUML.
Tag: Aiadmk
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It’s an O Panneerselvam Vs O Panneerselvam fight for the LS poll in Ramanathapuram
As former chief minister O Panneerselvam fights the Lok Sabha election as an independent candidate from Ramanathapuram constituency, he is facing a young namesake of his, who too has filed his nomination for the polls from the same constituency as a standalone candidate.
Panneerselvam, who heads the AIADMK Workers Retrieval Organisation and is continuing his legal battle against his expulsion from the party, has aligned with the BJP for the LS polls.
The 74-year old leader is pitched against a 42-year old man by the same name, O Panneerselvam, a resident of Usilampatti taluk in Madurai district who too has filed his nomination to contest as an independent candidate from Ramanathapuram constituency. The former chief minister is ‘Ottakara Thevar Panneerselvam’, while the younger contestant is ‘Ochappan Panneerselvam.’ However, only the letter ‘O’ will be prefixed to their names in the official list of candidates, as is the practice. The photographs of the candidates and the individual symbol allotted to them will help voters differentiate between them.
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SC okays EPS as AIADMK interim general secretary
Express News Service
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea filed by embattled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam (OPS) challenging a Madras High Court order that effectively upheld the appointment of his rival Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) as the party’s interim general secretary. The SC’s order is seen as a boost to EPS’ efforts to assume sole charge of the party. It has enthused his supporters ahead of the bypoll to the Erode East Assembly seat on February 27.
A bench of justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Hrishikesh Roy affirmed an order of a HC division bench dated September 2, 2022, and made permanent its July 6, 2022 order staying a HC order restraining the AIADMK general council from amending its by-laws during its meeting. However, the apex court clarified that its verdict would have no bearing on the merits of the civil suits pending.
Authoring the 80-page verdict, Justice Maheshwari said the court was restraining itself from dealing with the contentions regarding the resolutions that were adopted in the July 11, 2022 meeting. EPS was appointed interim general secretary through a resolution at that meet and OPS was expelled from the party.
On August 17, the order of a single judge of the HC had nullified the events of the July 11 meeting and ordered status quo ante as on June 23 when OPS was party coordinator and EPS joint coordinator. This order was set aside by a HC division bench on September 2. The division bench had said the single judge’s order had created a functional deadlock in the AIADMK.
Concurring, the SC said if the order as passed by the single judge was to remain in force until decision of suits “it would have been drastically detrimental to the interest of political party in question.” The single judge had proceeded contrary to sound and applicable judicial principles, it said.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea filed by embattled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam (OPS) challenging a Madras High Court order that effectively upheld the appointment of his rival Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) as the party’s interim general secretary. The SC’s order is seen as a boost to EPS’ efforts to assume sole charge of the party. It has enthused his supporters ahead of the bypoll to the Erode East Assembly seat on February 27.
A bench of justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Hrishikesh Roy affirmed an order of a HC division bench dated September 2, 2022, and made permanent its July 6, 2022 order staying a HC order restraining the AIADMK general council from amending its by-laws during its meeting. However, the apex court clarified that its verdict would have no bearing on the merits of the civil suits pending.
Authoring the 80-page verdict, Justice Maheshwari said the court was restraining itself from dealing with the contentions regarding the resolutions that were adopted in the July 11, 2022 meeting. EPS was appointed interim general secretary through a resolution at that meet and OPS was expelled from the party.
On August 17, the order of a single judge of the HC had nullified the events of the July 11 meeting and ordered status quo ante as on June 23 when OPS was party coordinator and EPS joint coordinator. This order was set aside by a HC division bench on September 2. The division bench had said the single judge’s order had created a functional deadlock in the AIADMK.
Concurring, the SC said if the order as passed by the single judge was to remain in force until decision of suits “it would have been drastically detrimental to the interest of political party in question.” The single judge had proceeded contrary to sound and applicable judicial principles, it said.
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Majority of AIADMK functionaries against OPS, Palaniswami tells SC
Express News Service
NEW DELHI: AIADMK interim general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) told the Supreme Court (SC) that an “overwhelming majority” of the party functionaries were against O Panneerselvam (OPS).Contending that the plea filed by OPS was “frivolous in nature”, EPS said: “Requisition for (a) special meeting on July 11, 2022, to take decisions on single leadership was made by 2,190 out of 2,665 members of the General Council (GC), which amounts to 82% of the GC members.
“This was followed up with the agenda signed by 2,432 GC members (250 additional GC members had given the agenda). On July 11, 2022, the GC (meeting) was attended by 2,460 members. They unanimously passed resolutions removing O Panneerselvam as co-ordinator and from the party’s primary membership.”
The affidavit was filed in response to a petition filed by OPS challenging the Madras High Court’s September 2 verdict that restored EPS as the AIADMK’s single leader. On September 30, EPS assured SC that there would be no election to the post of general secretary till the matter was heard by the top court.
Stating that the party’s GC was its supreme body and its decisions were binding on all party members, the affidavit said the present action of OPS, which was against the decision of the GC, made it clear that he was not entitled to be a member. “The claim of Mr O Panneerselvam that the leaders in the party were above the GC was contradictory to the rules and regulations of the party.”
An executive council meeting, convened on December 1, 2021, passed a resolution to amend the bylaws of the party with regard to coordinator and joint coordinator posts, which was to be placed for approval in the subsequent GC meeting. But the resolution was not approved at the GC meeting on June 23, 2022. This resulted in the lapse of the elections, which happened pursuant to the amendments, to the posts of coordinator and joint coordinator. The differences between EPS and OPS in this regards resulted in a “functional deadlock” in the party.
“There was an inability on the part of the co-ordinator and joint co-ordinator to function jointly. Under the rules and regulations, the co-ordinator and the joint co-ordinator can do any function only together,” the affidavit said.
NEW DELHI: AIADMK interim general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) told the Supreme Court (SC) that an “overwhelming majority” of the party functionaries were against O Panneerselvam (OPS).Contending that the plea filed by OPS was “frivolous in nature”, EPS said: “Requisition for (a) special meeting on July 11, 2022, to take decisions on single leadership was made by 2,190 out of 2,665 members of the General Council (GC), which amounts to 82% of the GC members.
“This was followed up with the agenda signed by 2,432 GC members (250 additional GC members had given the agenda). On July 11, 2022, the GC (meeting) was attended by 2,460 members. They unanimously passed resolutions removing O Panneerselvam as co-ordinator and from the party’s primary membership.”
The affidavit was filed in response to a petition filed by OPS challenging the Madras High Court’s September 2 verdict that restored EPS as the AIADMK’s single leader. On September 30, EPS assured SC that there would be no election to the post of general secretary till the matter was heard by the top court.
Stating that the party’s GC was its supreme body and its decisions were binding on all party members, the affidavit said the present action of OPS, which was against the decision of the GC, made it clear that he was not entitled to be a member. “The claim of Mr O Panneerselvam that the leaders in the party were above the GC was contradictory to the rules and regulations of the party.”
An executive council meeting, convened on December 1, 2021, passed a resolution to amend the bylaws of the party with regard to coordinator and joint coordinator posts, which was to be placed for approval in the subsequent GC meeting. But the resolution was not approved at the GC meeting on June 23, 2022. This resulted in the lapse of the elections, which happened pursuant to the amendments, to the posts of coordinator and joint coordinator. The differences between EPS and OPS in this regards resulted in a “functional deadlock” in the party.
“There was an inability on the part of the co-ordinator and joint co-ordinator to function jointly. Under the rules and regulations, the co-ordinator and the joint co-ordinator can do any function only together,” the affidavit said.
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Madras HC order for CBI probe against EPS axed by SC
By Express News Service
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside a Madras High Court ruling ordering a CBI probe into allegations of corruption against former chief minister and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami in awarding road contracts.
A bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana and Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli asked the HC to decide on the complaint against Palaniswami without being influenced by earlier observations or orders passed in the matter.
The Madras High Court, after taking note of the plea of DMK leader RS Bharathi, had in October 2018 passed the order transferring the probe on his complaint of tender irregularities to CBI for “fair, reasonable and transparent probe”.
“We don’t want CBI. We want an independent investigation,” senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Bharathi, told the apex court on Wednesday. Senior advocate Aryama Sundaram, appearing for Palaniswami, said a report filed by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) had exculpated Palaniswami.
The HC, however, passed the order without considering the DVAC report, and the SC must examine the report, Sundaram said. The SC bench, however, said it will ask the HC to take a fresh decision and remitted the matter to the Madras HC.
“Let the HC examine the (inquiry) report. Without going into the details of the matter, we request the high court to look into the reports submitted there and pass an appropriate order after examining the report…We set aside all the observations that will not come in the way of the fresh consideration of the matter,’ the bench said. RS Bharathi had filed a petition in the high court accusing Palaniswami of misusing his official position.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside a Madras High Court ruling ordering a CBI probe into allegations of corruption against former chief minister and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami in awarding road contracts.
A bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana and Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli asked the HC to decide on the complaint against Palaniswami without being influenced by earlier observations or orders passed in the matter.
The Madras High Court, after taking note of the plea of DMK leader RS Bharathi, had in October 2018 passed the order transferring the probe on his complaint of tender irregularities to CBI for “fair, reasonable and transparent probe”.
“We don’t want CBI. We want an independent investigation,” senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Bharathi, told the apex court on Wednesday. Senior advocate Aryama Sundaram, appearing for Palaniswami, said a report filed by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) had exculpated Palaniswami.
The HC, however, passed the order without considering the DVAC report, and the SC must examine the report, Sundaram said. The SC bench, however, said it will ask the HC to take a fresh decision and remitted the matter to the Madras HC.
“Let the HC examine the (inquiry) report. Without going into the details of the matter, we request the high court to look into the reports submitted there and pass an appropriate order after examining the report…We set aside all the observations that will not come in the way of the fresh consideration of the matter,’ the bench said. RS Bharathi had filed a petition in the high court accusing Palaniswami of misusing his official position.
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Power games: EPS, OPS struggle to seek BJP endorsement
Express News Service
Southern comfortEPS, OPS struggle to seek BJP endorsement
The current round of AIADMK infighting has reached the door of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The warring EPS and OPS factions are vying to win Mr Modi’s support. Both leaders are trying hard to get an appointment with the Prime Minister during his Chennai visit on July 28. The PM is visiting the Tamil Nadu capital to inaugurate the Chess Olympiad scheduled to begin at Mamallapuram near Chennai. Mr Modi’s moves on the political chessboard set by the AIADMK factions will be carefully watched. Political circles are buzzing with speculation about which way the BJP will lean. Both Edapadi Palanisamy and O Panneerselvam have sacked each other, claiming ownership of the AIADMK throne. Both have visited Delhi and tried in vain to meet the PM and Home Minister Amit Shah. EPS flew into the national capital to attend outgoing President Ramnath Kovind’s farewell. He visited President-elect Droupadi Murmu’s house to congratulate her. But he could not meet the Prime Minister or the Home Minister in spite of best efforts. OPS could not be in Delhi during the past few days as he has reportedly contracted Covid. Though ESP has by all indications taken control of the AIADMK, the BJP had earlier supported OPS and had helped him become deputy chief minister. OPS has not given up hope of the BJP backing him once again to help him occupy a respectable place in the AIADMK. Busy as they were with the Presidential election, Maharashtra upheaval and the monsoon session of Parliament, the PM and home minister have so far kept away from the EPS-OPS tussle. The PM’s Chennai visit is now being keenly watched.
Road to RaisinaKejriwal to be the face of AAP in Haryana polls
Ek Mauka Kejriwal Ko will be the Aam Aadmi Party slogan in the Haryana state elections next year. AAP sources say that party chief Kejriwal will project himself as the chief ministerial candidate in Haryana election. The AAP chief hails from the Bhiwani district of Haryana. He is therefore a son of the soil, and his electoral debut in the state will be dubbed as a return of the native. “He will be projected as a person who wants to serve his home state after earning laurels in India and abroad for his campaign against corruption, which also won his party an overwhelming support of people in Delhi and Punjab elections,” said a reliable source. Rumours of Kejriwal planning to replace Bhagwant Mann as the chief minister of Punjab have also been brushed aside by the party. To achieve its national ambition, AAP is looking for a financially thriving state from where it can raise funds to feed its nationwide campaign. The party has identified Haryana as that state. Winning Punjab was a big achievement for AAP. It was the first full-fledged state that fell into the party’s kitty. After its victory in Punjab, funds are expected to flow into party coffers much more easily. But today’s Punjab is not the rich state it once used to be. It has struggled with its finances of late. Haryana, in comparison, has strong economic fundamentals with a wide industrial base. A victory in Haryana could see an exponential rise in AAP’s corporate donors. Haryana is, therefore, all set to witness a three-cornered fight between Kejriwal, chief minister M L Khattar and Congress party’s Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
Rebellion in the ranksInfighting intensifies in Haryana Congress
After losing the Rajya Sabha election because of cross-voting by one Congress MLA and disqualification of the vote of another, All India Congress Committee general secretary Ajay Maken has been working on a mission mode to find out the party MLA who marked the vote wrongly causing his defeat. Though the name of former leader of the opposition in Haryana assembly Kiran Choudhary has been doing rounds in political circles, Kiran herself has stoutly denied making the mistake in marking her preference. Maken has now formally charged Kiran with marking the vote wrongly. He has released a video record of the voting day to show that Kiran Choudhary was the 26th MLA to have voted, and it was the 26th vote that was cancelled. Maken has said that Kiran marked the vote wrongly and then showed it to the Congress party’s election agent Vivek Bansal, who did not bring the mistake to the notice of party’s senior leaders present at the polling centre. “It is statistically improbable that both Kiran Choudhary and the party’s polling agent made a mistake,” Maken said, and added that the two will now have to explain whether they actually made a mistake or there was a deliberate foul play. He is reportedly pressing for action against the guilty.
Southern comfort
EPS, OPS struggle to seek BJP endorsementThe current round of AIADMK infighting has reached the door of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The warring EPS and OPS factions are vying to win Mr Modi’s support. Both leaders are trying hard to get an appointment with the Prime Minister during his Chennai visit on July 28. The PM is visiting the Tamil Nadu capital to inaugurate the Chess Olympiad scheduled to begin at Mamallapuram near Chennai. Mr Modi’s moves on the political chessboard set by the AIADMK factions will be carefully watched. Political circles are buzzing with speculation about which way the BJP will lean. Both Edapadi Palanisamy and O Panneerselvam have sacked each other, claiming ownership of the AIADMK throne. Both have visited Delhi and tried in vain to meet the PM and Home Minister Amit Shah. EPS flew into the national capital to attend outgoing President Ramnath Kovind’s farewell. He visited President-elect Droupadi Murmu’s house to congratulate her. But he could not meet the Prime Minister or the Home Minister in spite of best efforts. OPS could not be in Delhi during the past few days as he has reportedly contracted Covid. Though ESP has by all indications taken control of the AIADMK, the BJP had earlier supported OPS and had helped him become deputy chief minister. OPS has not given up hope of the BJP backing him once again to help him occupy a respectable place in the AIADMK. Busy as they were with the Presidential election, Maharashtra upheaval and the monsoon session of Parliament, the PM and home minister have so far kept away from the EPS-OPS tussle. The PM’s Chennai visit is now being keenly watched.
Road to Raisina
Kejriwal to be the face of AAP in Haryana pollsEk Mauka Kejriwal Ko will be the Aam Aadmi Party slogan in the Haryana state elections next year. AAP sources say that party chief Kejriwal will project himself as the chief ministerial candidate in Haryana election. The AAP chief hails from the Bhiwani district of Haryana. He is therefore a son of the soil, and his electoral debut in the state will be dubbed as a return of the native. “He will be projected as a person who wants to serve his home state after earning laurels in India and abroad for his campaign against corruption, which also won his party an overwhelming support of people in Delhi and Punjab elections,” said a reliable source. Rumours of Kejriwal planning to replace Bhagwant Mann as the chief minister of Punjab have also been brushed aside by the party. To achieve its national ambition, AAP is looking for a financially thriving state from where it can raise funds to feed its nationwide campaign. The party has identified Haryana as that state. Winning Punjab was a big achievement for AAP. It was the first full-fledged state that fell into the party’s kitty. After its victory in Punjab, funds are expected to flow into party coffers much more easily. But today’s Punjab is not the rich state it once used to be. It has struggled with its finances of late. Haryana, in comparison, has strong economic fundamentals with a wide industrial base. A victory in Haryana could see an exponential rise in AAP’s corporate donors. Haryana is, therefore, all set to witness a three-cornered fight between Kejriwal, chief minister M L Khattar and Congress party’s Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
Rebellion in the ranks
Infighting intensifies in Haryana CongressAfter losing the Rajya Sabha election because of cross-voting by one Congress MLA and disqualification of the vote of another, All India Congress Committee general secretary Ajay Maken has been working on a mission mode to find out the party MLA who marked the vote wrongly causing his defeat. Though the name of former leader of the opposition in Haryana assembly Kiran Choudhary has been doing rounds in political circles, Kiran herself has stoutly denied making the mistake in marking her preference. Maken has now formally charged Kiran with marking the vote wrongly. He has released a video record of the voting day to show that Kiran Choudhary was the 26th MLA to have voted, and it was the 26th vote that was cancelled. Maken has said that Kiran marked the vote wrongly and then showed it to the Congress party’s election agent Vivek Bansal, who did not bring the mistake to the notice of party’s senior leaders present at the polling centre. “It is statistically improbable that both Kiran Choudhary and the party’s polling agent made a mistake,” Maken said, and added that the two will now have to explain whether they actually made a mistake or there was a deliberate foul play. He is reportedly pressing for action against the guilty.
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Missing items: AIADMK files complaint against OPS
By PTI
CHENNAI: The opposition AIADMK in Tamil Nadu on Saturday alleged that persons owing allegiance to expelled party leader O Panneerselvam (OPS) “ransacked” the party office and “looted” documents and precious items on July 11, when a clash erupted between supporters of OPS and interim General Secretary K Palaniswami.
Senior party leader and Rajya Sabha member C Ve Shanmugam filed a complaint in this connection against Panneerselvam and some of his aides, alleging that documents pertaining to the AIADMK office were among those “taken away” by them.
Speaking to reporters after filing the complaint, Shanmugam, a former state minister, claimed men owing allegiance to Panneerselvam broke into the party office and “looted” documents and others.
“All rooms have been broken into, ransacked and many items looted,” he charged. While the office building belonged to party founder, the late M G Ramachandran’s wife Janaki, he gave it to the AIADMK, Shanmugam said.
He claimed documents relating to the office building, besides those in Coimbatore and Madurai had been taken away in a vehicle belonging to Panneerselvam. All these activities were done at the behest of OPS, Shanmugam charged.
He said the party has sought action against the expelled leader, besides immediate retrieval of the missing items.
On July 11, clashes broke out between the supporters of OPS and Palaniswami at the party headquarters, even as a special meeting of its general council, the highest decision-making body, picked the latter as its chief, expelling Panneerselvam.
The state Revenue department subsequently locked and sealed the office, before the Madras High Court struck it down, handing over the possession of the party office ‘MGR Maaligai’ to Palaniswami.
CHENNAI: The opposition AIADMK in Tamil Nadu on Saturday alleged that persons owing allegiance to expelled party leader O Panneerselvam (OPS) “ransacked” the party office and “looted” documents and precious items on July 11, when a clash erupted between supporters of OPS and interim General Secretary K Palaniswami.
Senior party leader and Rajya Sabha member C Ve Shanmugam filed a complaint in this connection against Panneerselvam and some of his aides, alleging that documents pertaining to the AIADMK office were among those “taken away” by them.
Speaking to reporters after filing the complaint, Shanmugam, a former state minister, claimed men owing allegiance to Panneerselvam broke into the party office and “looted” documents and others.
“All rooms have been broken into, ransacked and many items looted,” he charged. While the office building belonged to party founder, the late M G Ramachandran’s wife Janaki, he gave it to the AIADMK, Shanmugam said.
He claimed documents relating to the office building, besides those in Coimbatore and Madurai had been taken away in a vehicle belonging to Panneerselvam. All these activities were done at the behest of OPS, Shanmugam charged.
He said the party has sought action against the expelled leader, besides immediate retrieval of the missing items.
On July 11, clashes broke out between the supporters of OPS and Palaniswami at the party headquarters, even as a special meeting of its general council, the highest decision-making body, picked the latter as its chief, expelling Panneerselvam.
The state Revenue department subsequently locked and sealed the office, before the Madras High Court struck it down, handing over the possession of the party office ‘MGR Maaligai’ to Palaniswami.
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Jaishankar to brief parties on Modi government’s intervention in Sri Lanka
By Express News Service
NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will brief representatives of all political parties following appeals by the AIADMK and the DMK to the Narendra Modi government to intervene in the political and economic crisis in Sri Lanka.
This was confirmed here today by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi. Citing a July 16 office memorandum, a senior government official said that the briefing by the finance and external affairs ministries was scheduled for the evening of July 19, the second day of the monsoon session of Parliament.
The DMK and the AIADMK demanded at a meeting of political parties ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament an Indian intervention in Sri Lanka which is faced with its worst economic emergency since its independence. The DMK’s T R Baalu and the AIADMK’s M Thambudurai raised the condition of Sri Lanka’s Tamil population. The AIADMK is a coalition partner of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.
While India’s position so far has been to not intervene politically in Sri Lanka, it has dispatched aid through other channels. This was evident in a Ministry of External Affairs statement last week, which said that “India stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realise their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means values, established institutions and constitutional framework”.
It is clear that Jaishankar and Sitharaman will brief on their respective domains. While the External Affairs Minister will focus on India’s position, especially in the context of the political instability in Sri Lanka and the role it could play in seeing a stable regime in Colombo, Sitharaman will emphasise on the crippled economy and the extent to which New Delhi could go to pull the island nation out of the morass.
The government’s decision to brief representatives of political parties comes in the wake of the Indian High Commission to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay’s assurance to Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana on July 16. Baglay and Abetwardana’s meeting took place a day after the latter accepted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation that was sent in after his exit from the country.
NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will brief representatives of all political parties following appeals by the AIADMK and the DMK to the Narendra Modi government to intervene in the political and economic crisis in Sri Lanka.
This was confirmed here today by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi. Citing a July 16 office memorandum, a senior government official said that the briefing by the finance and external affairs ministries was scheduled for the evening of July 19, the second day of the monsoon session of Parliament.
The DMK and the AIADMK demanded at a meeting of political parties ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament an Indian intervention in Sri Lanka which is faced with its worst economic emergency since its independence. The DMK’s T R Baalu and the AIADMK’s M Thambudurai raised the condition of Sri Lanka’s Tamil population. The AIADMK is a coalition partner of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.
While India’s position so far has been to not intervene politically in Sri Lanka, it has dispatched aid through other channels. This was evident in a Ministry of External Affairs statement last week, which said that “India stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realise their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means values, established institutions and constitutional framework”.
It is clear that Jaishankar and Sitharaman will brief on their respective domains. While the External Affairs Minister will focus on India’s position, especially in the context of the political instability in Sri Lanka and the role it could play in seeing a stable regime in Colombo, Sitharaman will emphasise on the crippled economy and the extent to which New Delhi could go to pull the island nation out of the morass.
The government’s decision to brief representatives of political parties comes in the wake of the Indian High Commission to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay’s assurance to Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana on July 16. Baglay and Abetwardana’s meeting took place a day after the latter accepted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation that was sent in after his exit from the country.
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Supreme Court to hear on July 6 plea on AIADMK leadership row
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Monday said that it would hear on July 6, a plea filed by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) challenging the Madras High Court order staying the passing of any unannounced resolutions in the meeting of the AIADMK General and Executive councils concerning the issue of single leadership of the party.
A vacation bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and JK Maheshwari said it would hear the plea on July 6 subject to the clearance given by Chief Justice NV Ramana.
Senior advocate CS Vaidyanathan, appearing for the EPS faction, mentioned the matter for urgent listing, saying that the High Court division bench held an extraordinary sitting past midnight and passed the order at 4 am on June 23.
He said that the High Court order restraining the party from taking up any unannounced resolution interferes with the internal functioning of a political party.
Vaidyanathan said that contempt petitions have been filed in the high court alleging violation of the interim order, which is coming up for hearing on Monday.
Counsel appearing in a caveat for party co-ordinator O Panneerselvam faction opposed the request for urgent listing saying it was an interim order and High Court is still seized of the matter.
He said that the order passed in an Original Suit, which is still pending before the high court, and contempt petitions were filed as there was a breach of the directions in the General and Executive councils meetings. The bench ordered that the matter will be listed on July 6 subject to clearance given by the CJI.
On June 23, the Madras High Court had ruled that no unannounced resolutions could be taken up at the meeting of the AIADMK General and Executive councils here, restraining the camp led by Joint Co-ordinator EPS from initiating any such move over the possible single leadership issue.
The meeting of Tamil Nadu’s main opposition party’s General Council, its highest decision-making body, and the Executive was held on June 23.
In a late-night hearing that stretched till early June 23, a special division bench had granted the relief to party co-ordinator O Panneerselvam (OPS) at a special sitting held at the senior judge’s residence at Anna Nagar in the city, on an appeal against a single judge order.
It had said that the meeting can take place as scheduled and the already decided 23 resolutions can be taken up and adopted.
No other new resolutions touching upon making amendments to party bye-laws to abolish Co-ordinator and Joint Co-ordinator posts and restoring the general secretary post to pave way for single leadership shall be taken up, the High Court had said.
Earlier at around 9 pm on June 22, a single-judge bench of the High Court in its brief order permitted the conduct of the meet but refrained from restraining the EPS group from taking up any other fresh resolutions, which would ultimately result in unitary leadership.
The aggrieved group led by OPS met High Court Chief Justice M N Bhandari after the order of the single-judge was pronounced and obtained his permission to prefer an appeal against the order.
The CJ constituted a bench of Justice M Duraiswamy and Sundar Mohan as the judges to make a special sitting and hear the appeal.
Accordingly, the bench sat at the senior judge’s residence and commenced the hearing around 1 am on June 23 and passed its orders around 4 am, which effectively led to joy and jubilation in the OPS camp.
The internal rumblings of the AIADMK over the single leadership issue, with a majority of district secretaries and others favouring EPS to take over the mantle, had prompted Panneerselvam (OPS) to write to the former seeking deferring the meet, even as speculations were rife that the GC and EC could discuss the matter to affect the unitary leadership.
On June 23, the meet was held amid chaos and the AIADMK General Council announced that the one and only demand of the GC members is to bring in a system of a single leadership for the party, favouring Joint Coordinator EPS.
The Executive and General Council meet held together saw EPS emerging as the supreme leader and he was honoured with a decorated crown, a sword, and sceptre by supporters.
EPS’ colleague and Coordinator OPS was apparently snubbed in the meet and rude slogans were shouted against him.
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Congress rejects report claiming Rahul sought AIADMK’s support for Sinha
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday dismissed as “bogus” a news report claiming that Rahul Gandhi called up AIADMK leader E Palaniswamy seeking support for the combined Opposition Presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha.
In a statement, AICC general secretary Communications Jairam Ramesh said the news report is “bogus and false” and is a “mischievous effort to sow confusion”.
“This is wholly bogus and totally false. No such phone call was made. The DMK-Congress alliance is firm and steadfast enough to withstand such crude and mischievous efforts to sow confusion and weaken it,” Ramesh said in a statement. The Congress and DMK are supporting their joint candidate Sinha for the July 18 presidential election.