Ex-Tamil Nadu CM EPS elected as AIADMK interim General Secretary; 16 resolutions adopted

In a key development on Monday, Edapdi Palaniswami was elected as interim General Secretary of AIMK ushering in a new chapter in party's 50-year history. A long-time member of AIMK, EPS was elected to Tamil Nu Legislative Assembly in 1989, 1991, 2011, 2016 and 2021 and also served a year-long stint in Lok Sabha. Besides being  CM of Tamil Nu from 2017 to 2021, he has served party in various capacities including that of Hequarters Secretary, Organizing Secretary and Propaganda Secretary. 

At AIMK's General Council meeting held at Vanagaram, a total of 16 resolutions were passed. This included revival of general secretary's post, enabling all primary members of party to elect general secretary which is expected in 4 months' time and abolition of posts of Coordinator and Joint Coordinator reby lending a blow to O Panneerselvam. Moreover, a resolution was opted demanding Bharat Ratna for Periyar, MGR and J Jayalalithaa. ditionally, a new post of Deputy General Secretary was created who will be selected by General Secretary. 

Here are visuals from outside General Council meet venue:

Leership struggle in AIMK

J Jayalalithaa's untimely demise on December 5, 2016, led to a vacuum in her party which was initially filled by O Panneerselvam. But, her close confidante Sasikala was elected as General Secretary of party and sought to take over as CM of state in February 2017. While Panneerselvam resigned from his post and backed her candidature, he subsequently rebelled against her. After Supreme Court convicted Sasikala in disproportionate assets case, her camp picked EPS as OPS' replacement

However, AIMK factions led by n CM and Panneerselvam merged on August 21, 2017, and paved way for removal of Sasikala from party. In General Council meeting held on that day, rules and regulations of bye-laws were amended vesting powers and responsibilities of General Secretary in two new posts- Coordinator and Joint Coordinator. While three-time Tamil Nu CM OPS who was me Deputy CM was appointed as Coordinator, EPS assumed charge as  Joint Coordinator. 

EPS' appointment as interim general secretary came after OPS lost legal battle to stall General Council meeting. While Supreme Court on July 6 stayed an order of Mras High Court dated June 23 preventing AIMK from amending party bye-laws to enable unitary leership, OPS moved HC again in a last-ditch attempt to delay meeting. While dismissing his suit today, a single-judge bench of Justice Ramasamy held that meeting can be conducted in accordance with law.