It now appears that the ruling EPS-OPS-led AIADMK in Tamil Nadu is likely to be recognized as the ‘actual’ AIADMK and would be allotted the party’s frozen symbol (of ‘Two-Leaves’), flag and name similar to the verdict spelt out by the Election Commission of India when it proclaimed that the Janata Dal (U) headed by Bihar chief-minister Nitish Kumar was the ‘original’ Janata Dal and allotted it the symbol.

Sasikala’s faction attempted to usurp the party and the Govt. led by it soon after the mysterious and unfortunate demise of her former boss and former chief-minister J. Jayalalithaa but the effort was thwarted by O. Panneerselvam in early February. He later split the part into two factions led by himself and Edapadi K. Palaniswami in the absence of Sasikala who landed up at the Parapana Agrahara prison in Bangalore.

After the OPS and EPS led factions merged early in September and the duo became the deputy chief-minister and chief-minister respectively in the new set-up, they filed fresh pleas with the Election Commission of India, staking claim for the frozen ‘Two Leaves’ symbol, name and flag of the party. Dinakaran’s faction challenged it and said it was the ‘original’ faction and tried to drag the inquiry proceedings.

EC completed the interrogation and has reserved its judgment. In the meantime, it delivered a verdict in the dispute between Bihar chief-minister Nitish Kumar and Sharad Yadav, both from the Janata Dal (United), stating that it was the former who headed the ‘original party based mainly on the strength of his MLAs and office-bearers. Observers say that going by this logic, OPS-EPS combine might soon get the party symbol, name and flag of the erstwhile AIADMK.