EC questions Sasikala's elevation as AIADMK chief

The Election Commission on Friday rejected AIADMK's response regarding VK Sasikala's elevation as its interim general secretary, saying that the letter was signed by TTV Dinakaran who is not in the poll panel's list of party office bearers.

The poll panel also issued notice to Sasikala asking her to explain her appointment as the party's interim general secretary. The letter was sent to Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Prison where she is currently lodged

The EC has asked Sasikala to reply either under her own signature or any authorised signatory whose name is in the party office bearers list.

Earlier, on 17 February, the EC had issued a notice to Sasikala on a petition filed by senior party leader Maitreyan and others challenging the nomination of Sasikala as AIADMK's general secretary.

In its letter sent to Sasikala, the EC had mentioned about the two petitions filed by V Maitreyan and 11 other MPs alleging that her election was done in contravention of the party's constitution.

Copies of the two petitions against her appointment filed by V Maitreyan and 11 other MPs were also forwarded to her.

The petitions were submitted on Thursday, urging the commission not to approve her elevation.

According to the party's memorandum of association, the candidate has to be a primary member for five years in continuation to be eligible for the post.

It pointed out that Sasikala failed to complete the 5-yaer term as she was removed in 2011 and then taken back the next year.

The 12-member delegation, comprising eight Lok Sabha and two Rajya Sabha MPs, said Sasikala was "elected" by the party's general council and not by the primary members.

The delegation submitted taht according to the party's constitution, the general council had powers to only frame policies and programmes, and not to elect the general secretary.

''The Commission has directed that your reply on the aforesaid petitions may be furnished latest by February 28, failing which it will be presumed that you have no comments to offer and the Commission will take appropriate action in the matter,'' said the EC notice.

Sasikala was sent to prison after the Supreme Court upheld her conviction in a disproportionate assets case (See: SC jails Sasikala for 4 years in assets case).