[OPS v EPS] Decide challenge to new AIADMK by-laws afresh: Supreme Court tells Madras High Court

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Madras High Court to decide afresh the plea by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam challenging the recent changes made to the by-laws of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). [O Panneerselvam vs AIADMK and ors].A Bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli asked the AIADMK to maintain status quo in the matter and to not pass further resolutions."Taking into consideration the difficulty expressed, we feel it necessary that instead of keeping matter here we remand the matter to the High Court for fresh consideration on merits without being influenced by the observations in the order for the SLP. The High Court to decide in 2-3 weeks time. Status quo to be maintained by parties till plea is disposed of..." the Bench stated in its order..Senior Advocates Gurukrishna Kumar and Ranjit Kumar, appearing for Panneerselvam, argued that the matter should be heard on merits by the High Court, since their client is being removed from his post in the party..A Madras High Court order preventing the General Council of the AIADMK from amending its by-laws was stayed by the Supreme Court on July 6 this year. The top court had, throughout the hearing, questioned the need for judicial intervention in a matter relating to inner party dynamics. It had orally observed that the order under challenge was a spent force, given the fact that the meeting had taken place and another one is scheduled soon.The High Court's order, passed on the day the General Council meeting was to be held (June 23), had come after a single-judge had refused to interfere in the matter.On July 11 this year, the High Court refused to interfere in the meeting of the party's executive committee to be held the same day, which led to the present appeal. .Amidst the leadership crisis in the AIADMK after the party's defeat in the State elections last year, a section of the office-bearers have sought to amend the party's by-laws to enable a single leader for the party.At present, after the passing of former Chief Minister and the party's General Secretary J Jayalalithaa, the AIADMK has a dual leadership structure with Palaniswamy being joint-coordinator and Panneerselvam being the coordinator.The recent General Council meeting of the AIADMK (on July 11) passed resolutions to abolish these posts and restore the post of General Secretary..[Follow our coverage of today's hearing]