HC upholds expulsion of Sasikala from AIADMK

In a significant legal development, the Madras High Court has dismissed the appeal plea of V K Sasikala, challenging her expulsion from the post of interim general secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). The division bench, comprised of Justice R Subramanian and N Senthilkumar, upheld the resolution passed in the general council of AIADMK, affirming Sasikala’s removal from the leadership role. The sequence of events leading to Sasikala’s expulsion traces back to the demise of the AIADMK general secretary, J Jayalalithaa, on December 5, 2016. In an emergent general council meeting convened on December 29, 2016, it was decided to appoint Sasikala as the interim general secretary of the party. However, her political journey took an unexpected turn when she found herself behind bars on February 17, 2017, following a Supreme Court conviction in a disproportionate assets case. Subsequently, another general council meeting convened on September 12, 2017, passed a resolution to remove Sasikala from the post of interim general secretary. The council also appointed O Panneerselvam and Edappadi K Palaniswami as coordinator and joint coordinator of the party, respectively, indicating a shift in leadership under their dual guidance. Challenging her expulsion, Sasikala filed a civil suit, contending that the general council meeting was conducted illegally. However, the additional city civil court in Chennai rejected Sasikala’s plea in the civil suit, upholding her removal from the party’s leadership. The Madras High Court’s recent decision reinforces the legality of the general council’s resolution and affirms the expulsion of V K Sasikala from her role as interim general secretary of AIADMK.