Chennai: Edappadi K Palaniswami popularly known as EPS becomes the general secretary of AIADMK unopposed in the internal elections last week. The general secretary post was last held by the ousted leader Sasikala in 2017. Earlier, EPS served as the interim general secretary of the party.
EPS took charge of general secretary minutes after the Madras High Court order paving way for his election. Earlier, Madras High Court's single judge bench of justice K Kumaresh Babu rejected interim applications filed by O Paneerselvam and his supporters seeking stay on AIADMK general secretary polls.
EPS' taking over of the party is set to temporarily put an end to the leadership row of the party that started after the demise of Jayalalithaa in 2016. Two other leaders O Panneerselvam and Sasikala also tried to take over the top post but in vain. EPS removed OPS and Sasikala from the party in 2022 and 2017 respectively.
However, EPS was the one handpicked by ousted leader VK Sasikala to become Tamil Nadu Chief Minister after O Panneerselvam held a 'Dharma Yudham' against her and her family members. EPS was sworn-in as the CM with the support of Sasikala on February 17, 2017. Within a few years, EPS established himself as an able leader and gained the support of scores of party members.