The claim for the 'Two leaves' symbol by Sasikala led AIADMK and O Paneerselvam's faction came to hearing at the Election Commission, on Wednesday.

Both sides had presented their arguments, and the hearing, led by Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi, went for around 6 hours. Considering the time frame, the Commission froze the 'Two leaves' symbol for the RK Nagar bypoll that is due on April 12.

Neither parties are allowed to use the symbol or the AIADMK name in the upcoming elections. They will have to select a symbol from the list of free symbols notified by the EC, and also modify their party names accordingly. While OPS expressed disappointment with the decision despite him presenting strong evidence, Dinakaran continued to show confidence of winning the elections and getting the symbol back.

A similar instance happened in 1988, when the Commission had then issued an interim order to freeze the 'Two leaves' symbol with respect to a then ongoing dispute between AIADMK factions of Janaki Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa.