EPS camp confident about symbol, but TTV sees prolonged battle

The prospects for the Chief Minister’s camp had brightened after the EC asked both the parties to submit the documents to prove the support of MPs, MLAs and general council members. Since, the ruling camp has the support of most of the people’s representatives and general council members, they are upbeat about retrieving the symbol.

However, Dinakaran’s supporters pin their hopes on the EC not allocating the symbol to both the parties, as it did when deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who split with just 11 MLAs did that filed a petition with the commission. When Panneerselvam, the EC decided not to give the symbol to the faction headed by VK Sasikala even though her faction enjoyed the support of 122 MLAs and 37 MPs, one of the supporters of TTV pointed out. 

However, Dinakaran, speaking to the media, hoped for a favourable verdict in the EC, but added that he would challenge the EC decision if it goes in favour of the Chief Minister’s faction. “The decision of the Election Commission on control of the party and ‘Two Leaves’ symbol is not final. The fight for “Two Leaves’ and the party’s control will be a long drawn battle, since either of the two parties will move the court if the decision is against them,” he said. 

Contrary to the assertions of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami that his government would last its full term, Lok Sabha deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, on Thursday, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing support to the idea of holding Assembly elections along with the 2019 Parliament elections. 

Though, Thambidurai did not specify TN, his support to the idea of simultaneous elections to the Assembly and Parliament will shorten the tenure is of Palanswami government by two years. The supporters of sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dinakaran welcomed the suggestion and Nagarajan, one of the MPs supporting him, openly declared that it would be a good idea to dissolve the Assembly even earlier.

Even while supporters of sidelined AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala expected their leader’s release on parole in one or two days, Handlooms Minister OS Manian, on Thursday, openly declared that he would consider meeting her when she comes out on parole. Commenting on bringing back the Sasikala faction into the party, he said it would happen at an appropriate time. When asked if he would meet Sasikala when she come out on parole, the minister refrained from rejecting the idea and said he would consider it.