AIADMK headquarters sealed after violence

CHENNAI: A high drama unfolded at the AIADMK headquarters in Chennai’s Royapettah on Monday following the power struggle between former chief ministers Edappadi K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam, resulting in the sealing of the party office by revenue officials.

Flanked by a team of police personnel, revenue divisional officer Sai Vardhini entered the AIADMK office at 12.25 pm and asked OPS and his supporters who were inside the party office to leave the campus.


The AIADMK office was sealed under Section 145 (Procedure where dispute concerning land or water is likely to cause breach of peace) of the CrPC. Section 146 (1) ( Power to attach subject of dispute and to appoint receiver) was also invoked. Also, Section 144 of the CrPC was promulgated near the party HQ.

AIADMK cadres were warned of two years imprisonment if they tried to enter the sealed premises.

It all started when OPS and his supporters tried to make their way into the party office in the morning. The supporters of EPS and OPS resorted to violence. They exchanged blows, hurled stones and attacked each other using sharp weapons and sticks. Several party members were injured. Vehicles of the party functionaries parked in the vicinity were damaged.

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OPS supporters outnumbered their counterparts and forced their way into the party office. They broke open the party office to make way for OPS. Meanwhile, a section of them brought down the banners and posters of EPS on the campus and burnt them down and took over the campus. Another group raised slogans that eternal general secretary J Jayalilathaa’s political heir is none other than OPS and put up his photo.

Sensing the growing tension and law and order issue, the police department swung into action and deployed additional force. Police resorted to minor lathicharge to clear the agitated party workers from the vicinity. They barricaded the roads leading to the AIADMK office.

Later OPS and others staged a dharna on the party premises after AIADMK general council which was held in Vanagaram anointed EPS as the interim general secretary and expelled Panneerselvam from the party.

Before leaving the campus, OPS supporters took several documents from the party office and loaded them in his vehicle.

EPS supporters lodged a police complaint against OPS and his supporters for damaging the party headquarters.