EC approves amended AIADMK constitution

In a major victory for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam, the Election Commission has given the nod for amended bye-laws of the AIADMK constitution that does away with the powerful post of General Secretary.

In September last year, the AIADMK General Council had abolished the post of general secretary and replaced it with the posts of coordinator and joint coordinator. While Panneerselvam was appointed the coordinator of the AIADMK, Palaniswami was made joint coordinator.

With the EC nod, the duo has become more powerful in the AIADMK. Till the amendment, general secretary post held by former chief minister, the late J Jayalalitha, was the most powerful in the party.

The EC has uploaded the amended rules and regulations on its website. Put up under 'Constitutions of Political Parties', the amended rules and regulations include the creation of new party posts — coordinator and joint coordinator, held by O Panneerselvam and K Palaniswami, respectively.

The two leaders had merged their respective factions in August 2017.

The move comes as a major setback for rebel leader T T V Dhinakaran, who has been maintaining that the appointment of the duo was illegal.