AIADMK symbol: After OPS, Sasikala camp meets EC

Asserting that there was no split in the party, AIADMK leader from Sasikala camp M Thambidurai on Thursday requested the Election Commission "not to entertain" the dissenting cadres, who have staked claim to AIADMK symbol and sought fresh election to the general secretary's post.

The Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker, who met the Election Commission along with a delegation of AIADMK leaders, said that in a democratic system, people are free to raise various issues but not all of them can be considered.

"There is no split in the party. A democratic system allows people to raise several issues and all those cannot be entertained. We are going to face the RK Nagar bypoll with cooperation from all party MPs and MLAs," said Thambidurai.

On Wednesday, the rival faction led by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had met Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and staked claim to the AIADMK's symbol ahead of the upcoming by-poll to R K Nagar constituency in Chennai, which was represented by J Jayalalithaa.