Chennai: Former AIADMK minister C Ve Shanmugam on Wednesday said the Election Commission of India has no jurisdiction to intervene in internal party affairs, and added, “we will move court if the ECI takes a wrong decision.”
He also announced the AIADMK party’s decision not to move an appeal petition challenging the Madras high court order in the leadership dispute case.
Flanked by former ministers, Shanmugam told reporters that Edappadi K Palaniswami, in his plea, argued that the ECI should first determine if it has jurisdiction in this matter.
“EPS filed the case on behalf of the party, alleging that the Election Commission of India exceeded its authority and took over the inquiry by claiming that it had power. The court accepted the plea and ordered the commission to clear whether it has jurisdiction or not,” he said, accusing the ECI of committing mistakes by entertaining a petition from an individual who has no links with AIADMK, and from those who betrayed the party.
Shanmugam said the commission has the authority only to register associations and bodies as political parties, and the changes made in the name of the party, office-bearers, and address under The Representation of the People Act, 1951, besides Para 15 of The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) that deals with splinter groups or rival sections of a recognised political party.
“The job of the ECI is to register, which is a ministerial job. It has no authority to say the changes effected are correct or incorrect. Only the courts have powers to determine that,” the former law minister said. Meanwhile, former AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam, who now heads a splinter group, said the court’s decision to lift the stay on ECI proceedings signifies the ultimate triumph of dharma.
“ECI has got authority to conduct inquiries akin to the court,” he said.
Expelled AIADMK functionary V Pugazhendi, also a petitioner, described the court verdict as favourable, saying that EPS had no authority since the original civil suit over the leadership was pending.
“Our intention is not to freeze MGR’s two leaves symbol, but it should not be with Palaniswami,” the former AIADMK Karnataka secretary said.