In a big victory towards cementing a strong leadership in the beleaguering party, Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) has been officially recognised as the ADMK's General Secretary. In what has become a huge jolt for EPS's rival O Panneerselvam (OPS), who is also claiming the leadership of the party, the Election Commission has on Thursday made the recognition, approving EPS as the party's general secretary. 

With the approval, EPS has a clear go to contest in the elections in the party's iconic 'Two Leaves' symbol. As our sources say that OPS's fight is coming to an end with a big fiasco, the recognition has come at a high time when both the leaders are getting ready to lock horns to prove their leadership to each other by fielding candidates in the upcoming assembly polls in Karnataka. 

As the Election Commission has officially recongised EPS, it has seemingly become certain that the gates for the ADMK's leadership are closed for OPS and as EPS has the command, he would advance his politics against OPS and to reform the party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The development has boosted the EPS camp and now, the candidates fielded by EPS in Karnataka would contest in 'Two Leaves' symbol. 

With the recognition, EPS has got a significant prospect to build himself as the party's paramount leader and to decide the party's future. After the Election Commission has made its announcement, the EPS camp was over the moon as it has won what would be the final battle to reign the party. Following the announcement, the supporters of EPS celebrated the announcement across the state. 

While EPS moves ahead with majority of support in the party, OPS is likely losing his momentum and as the latter has already been expelled from the party, the supporters of EPS have warned the OPS not to use the party's name and symbol. The Election Commission's announcement has come when both of the rivals have fielded their candidates in the Karnataka assembly polls. 

On Wednesday, EPS announced Anbarasan as ADMK's candidate in the Pulikeshinagar constituency in Karnataka. Notably, amidst his alliance with BJP, the ADMK candidate will take on the BJP's candidate during the polls. By announcing to contest in the Karnataka polls, EPS has twisted a tale where the party earlier said that it won't contest in the Karnataka assembly polls and that it would support BJP in the state.

As EPS has announced his candidate, OPS had also jumped into the fire as he also announced a candidate from his camp on Thursday. According to his statement, OPS announced that Nedunchezhiyan will contest from the Pulikeshinagar constituency against the candidates nominated by EPS and BJP. Moreover, OPS is also planning to announce candidates for more seats and he will be contesting the elections in a different symbol. Karnataka will go for the assembly polls on May 10 and the results would be declared on May 13.