AIADMK challenges symbol freeze in Madras High Court

The AIADMK party has filed a review petition with the Madras High Court. This is in response to an order from December 4, 2024, concerning the freezing of their 'two leaves' election symbol. The party's general secretary, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, is also part of this petition. On Thursday, Justices R. Subramanian and C. Kumarappan accepted the petition despite a six-day delay in filing it. They directed the court registry to schedule the hearing for next week. The petition was initially filed on January 24, 2025. The case arose from a complaint made to the Election Commission of India (ECI) by an individual named S. Surya Moorthi in February 2024, who requested an investigation into the party's symbol. In their review, the AIADMK argued that the ECI did not have the authority to consider Moorthi's representation since there was no split in the party. They contend that the ECI should not have indicated it would make a decision within four weeks. The court previously stated that it would review similar cases involving party affairs. The judges also noted that the ECI must first check if it has the authority to handle such cases before proceeding. The AIADMK claims that the commission overstepped its limits and seeks to have the earlier ruling reconsidered.