AIADMK leadership tussle: OPS sacked over 'anti-party activities', EPS becomes new boss

The dual-leadership crisis plaguing AIADMK--the principal opposition party in Tamil Nadu--was resolved after Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) was on Monday elected as its interim general secretary and former deputy chief minister O Paneerselvam (OPS) was ousted from all party posts.

Other senior leaders and OPS supporters: JCD Prabhakar, R Vaithilingam, and PH Manoj Pandian were also expelled from the party.

The decision was taken during a general council meeting which took place after the Madras high court rejected OPS' plea seeking stay on the meet called by the faction led by EPS.

OPS, who was expelled for alleged "anti-party" activities and for cozying up to the rival DMK regime, reportedly said that he will move court against the decision.

The AIADMK General Council cited difficulty in decision-making and discontentment among party cadre as the reason behind scrapping the posts of Coordinator and Joint Coordinator, held by OPS and EPS, respectively.

Under the dual-leadership model, the AIADMK had faced several poll defeats. Both the leaders have been embroiled in a bitter war to claim the legacy of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa since her death in 2017.

Also watch: Madras HC clears AIADMK general council meeting, clashes ensue at Chennai office

Earlier in the day, supporters of both factions clashed outside the party headquarters in Chennai.

Other decisions taken during the party meeting include a resolution to hold organisational polls in four months to elect a General Secretary, several by-laws were also amended, including fresh norms to fight for the top party position.