Two is Too Much: The Hindu Editorial on AIADMK Leadership Struggle

a pre-dawn court order Even though AIADMK coordinator O. Panneerselvam may have got a temporary respite from the party’s joint leadership stripping him of his share, but it is doubtful whether his separation can be prolonged. Edappadi K., co-coordinator of the 50-year-old party and fellow-rival of Mr. Panneerselvam. It may take time for Palaniswami to come under full control. What is dividing him now is that Mr. Palaniswami seems to have more support among legislators and district secretaries, and his camp is beginning to feel that Mr. Panneerselvam is enjoying immense clout in party affairs. on one General Council (GC) meeting On Thursday, it was expected that the party’s bylaws would be changed to eliminate the current ‘dual leadership’ (coordinator), and restore the general secretary’s post as the only seat of power. Attempts to obtain a restraining order against the meeting failed before a single judge, but the Panneerselvam camp managed to get the chief justice’s nod to appeal midnight before a bench. Passing the order at around 4.30 pm, the bench restrained the GC from taking any decision other than the 23 items on the agenda, which had the approval of both the coordinators. That they had agreed to a set of proposals was used to make a prima facie case for an interim order against any other decision, thwarting plans for a speedy discussion or decision on a question of leadership.

A question arises on the need for judicial intervention of the eleventh hour. Any potential bias could always be remedied later if it actually went against the view of the majority of the party. It is questionable whether a leader can demand restraint on a majority-supported decision that would likely upset him. Even though a dual leadership system exists, it is difficult to argue that anything lacking the approval of both leaders cannot be decided by the party’s top decision-making body. After all, the same body abolished the post of General Secretary in 2017 and created the posts of two coordinators. It also changed the ‘unmodified’ rule that the general secretary must be elected by all primary members. In 2021, the party’s executive committee again amended the bylaws so that primary members would now jointly elect two coordinators by one vote. In the subsequent election, Mr. Panneerselvam and Mr. Palaniswami were jointly elected. Ultimately one of the resolutions not taken at the GC meeting was to ratify this decision. The impact of the non-approval on the party’s affairs remains to be seen, but it is clear that Mr. Panneerselvam’s options are limited to either playing a subordinate role or quashing it on his own.