The AIADMK on Tuesday defended the decision to appoint V K Sasikala as its interim general secretary, saying the general council of the party has the authority to make such an appointment. In its response to the February 17 notice by the Election Commi-
ssion, the AIADMK also said those who later complained against Sasikala’s elevation had initially signed the resolution in her support.
The party told the Comm-
ission that the functioning of the party would have come to a standstill had a new general secretary not been appointed after the demise of J Jayalali-
thaa. The reply was signed by T T V Dinakaran, Sasikala’s nephew, who was hurriedly reinducted into the party and nominated AIADMK deputy general secretary just before she left for a Karnataka prison to serve her remaining term in a disproportionate assets case.
The poll panel had asked Sasikala to respond to a petition filed by the rival O Panneer-
selvam camp against her appoi-
ntment as AIADMK interim general secretary. The EC had, while issuing the notice, made it clear that if she failed to answer, it will be “presumed” that she has no comments to offer and proceed in the matter accordingly. The Commission had sent notice to Sasikala, currently lodged in prison, and sought her response by Tuesday.