Madras High Court Prohibits O Panneerselvam From Using AIADMK Name, Flag And Symbol (image: twitter.com/OfficeOfOPS)Madras High Court on Tuesday granted an interim injunction banning expelled AIADMK Leader and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, O Panneerselvam (OPS) from using the AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) name, flag and symbol until November 30.
Justice N Sathish Kumar temporarily restricted him from involving with the party affairs. Besides, the court also prevented him from continue to claim as coordinator and from using party flags, symbols and letterhead.
“As the Supreme Court has not issued an interim injunction against the Madras High Court order in the AIADMK leadership dispute case and the orders from Supreme Court and Madras High Court also confirmed the expulsion of O Panneerselvam and others from the party. Therefore, O Panneerselvam, who was removed from the party has been restrained from using the AIADMK name, flag, symbol letterhead, etc,” News9 reports as judge saying.
The High Court’s response came in a Civil Suit filed by AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS). Earlier, in a petition, EPS argued that though Mr Panneerselvam was officially removed from the party on the basis of the decision taken in the party’s general council meeting, he continues to exercise AIADMK’s name, symbol, and flag and organise events which has created confusion among party members. Mr Palaniswami also argued that the Election Commission of India (EC) and the apex court have recognised him as the General Secretary.
Meanwhile, court has given time to the former chief minister to file a counter affidavit to Mr Palaniswami’s civil suit.