CHENNAI: Former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam on Saturday announced a 118-member election committee led by former minister R Vaithilingam for Erode East bypoll. However, the expelled AIADMK leader awaits the decision of the BJP to announce his candidate.
The leader held a meeting of supporters at his Greenways Road residence. “OPS has set up the committee to work for the BJP whenever the party takes a decision to contest. He will certainly announce a candidate in the event of BJP deciding not to contest,” former MLA JCD Prabakar and OPS supporter told reporters.
Alangulam MLA, Paul Manoj Pandian said OPS was still coordinator of the AIADMK as per the records of the Election Commission and former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had given up his post of coordinator. “Powers are vested with OPS to sign (the election forms of the candidates) for two leaves symbol. He is the sole authority to give the symbol,” the MLA said.
Since the Supreme Court reserved its judgment on a petition filed by Panneerselvam against the EPS leadership, Manoj Pandian raised doubts about the urgent hearing sought by Palaniswami on Friday.
