Panneerselvam meets CEC to stake claim to AIADMK symbol

New Delhi, March 15 (IANS) The AIADMK faction led by former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Wednesday met Chief Election Commissioner Dr Nasim Zaidi to stake claim to the party symbol of 'two leaves' for the RK Nagar seat bye-election.

Addressing the media after the meeting here, Panneerselvam said "Amma had always been against the family rule. However, the Sasikala group has again established family rule by nominating (her nephew) Dinakaran."

"We asked the Election Commission to allow officer-bearers appointed by the then AIADMK General Secretary Jayalalithaa to continue until a new person is appointed to the post. We urged the panel to let Presidium Chairman Madhusudanan to select the party candidate and allot us the 'two leaves' symbol," Panneerselvam said.

The RK Nagar seat fell vacant after J. Jayalalithaa's death on December 5 last year.

AIADMK General Secretary V.K. Sasikala has nominated party's Deputy General Secretary and her nephew T.T.V. Dinakaran as party candidate for the April 12 bye-election. Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar is also in the fray.

Panneerselvam said Sasikala's appointment as AIADMK General Secretary was invalid since she was not elected as per the party constitution.

"As per the bye-laws of the party, the General Secretary is elected by AIADMK primary members. But Sasikala has not been elected by the primary members. So our first request to the commission was to declare her appointment invalid," Panneerselvam said.

AIADMK MP V. Maitreyan said the commission's decision was expected before March 24.