Dhinakaran gives 3 names, symbol to Delhi HC for his AIADMK (Amma) faction
Dhinakaran told the Delhi HC that he needed a temporary name and symbol for his faction till his main petition laying claim to the 'two leaves' symbol is decided and submitted three names
New Delhi: T.T.V. Dhinakaran and Sasikala on Thursday proposed three names for the unrecognized faction of Tamil Nadu’s ruling party that they lead.
In a submission before the Delhi high court, they listed: All India Amma Anna Dhravidar Munnetra Kazhagam, MGR Amma Dravidar Munnetra Kazhagam and MGR Amma Dhravidar Kazhgam.
The name would stand until the dispute with respect to ‘real’ All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) is resolved by the court, they suggested.
A plea was also made for the allotment of the symbol ‘pressure-cooker’ to the Dhinakaran-Sasikala faction until the fate of the two-leaves symbol is decided.
A bench comprising Justice Rekha Palli was hearing Dhinakaran and Sasikala’s application seeking permission to use a suitable name and party symbol for local body elections as well as any other election during the pendency of the petition challenging the 23 November 2017 order of the Election Commission.
The Commission had, through that order, allotted the ‘two-leaves’ symbol to the faction led by chief minister E. K. Palaniswami and deputy CM, O. Panneerselvam on the grounds that they enjoyed the support of the majority of members in the legislative and organizational wing.
Kapil Sibal appearing for Dhinakaran-Sasikala argued for the allotment of any one of the three proposed names to the ‘faction’ and the symbol ‘pressure cooker’ by the high court on an ad-hoc basis, so that the faction can campaign for any prospective elections in Tamil Nadu.
“We are a faction of a political party..There will be elections. I still have to campaign so that people become aware that I am a faction. I cannot be forced to register as a new party," he argued.
Abhishek Manu Singhvi, also appearing for Dhinakaran-Sasikala argued that they were a ‘real and dominant faction’ and that the grant of an ad-hoc party name and symbol as an interim arrangement would not harm any state or non-state party.
“It does not result in a non-level playing field. There is no deception or confusion," Singhvi argued.
The Election Commission objected to the plea on the grounds that no ‘party name’ or symbol could be alloted to ‘factions’ that were not registered as a political party.
Dhinakaran-Sasikala had moved the high court on 25 January for permission to use a different name and symbol without prejudicing their claim over the ‘two-leaves’ symbol and AIADMK party name.
The matter is listed for further hearing on Friday.
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