HC gants extension for OPS to respond to AIADMK lawsuit

In a recent development in the ongoing political saga within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party, the Madras High Court has granted an extension until October 6, for O Panneerselvam to file his counter affidavit in response to a lawsuit filed by AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami. The lawsuit seeks to restrain Panneerselvam from claiming the title of coordinator of the party and from using the party’s flag, symbol, and letterhead. Justice R.N. Manjula presided over the proceedings and accepted a request made by Senior Counsel P.H. Arvindh Pandian to allow advocate P. Rajalakshmi to take notice on behalf of Panneerselvam. The court has granted this extension to enable Panneerselvam’s legal team to prepare a detailed counter affidavit before the court makes a decision on multiple applications filed by the plaintiff in addition to the civil suit, all of which request the court to grant an injunction. Senior Counsel Vijay Narayan, representing Edappadi K. Palaniswami, provided preliminary submissions during the hearing. He informed the court that Panneerselvam had been expelled from the primary membership of the AIADMK party by its general council on July 11, 2022. Furthermore, Narayan noted that Panneerselvam had been unsuccessful in obtaining any interim order against his expulsion despite his best efforts.