T.T.V. Dhinakaran who has picked a path different from AIADMK is looking to form a party of his own. On 15th February 2018, in the Delhi High Court, he asked for a temporary party symbol and name for his faction.
For the upcoming civic polls in Tamil Nadu, he has requested the High court to allow him to use the ‘pressure cooker’ symbol. The lack of a party symbol and name has hindered Dhinakaran’s functionality in preparation for the polls. The local administration has put up hurdles for his faction. His main claim over the ‘two leaves’ symbol is still yet to be decided in court.
Kapil Sibal appeared in court for Dhinakaran, said that the opposite party in the state was using the ‘two leaves’ symbol. If the court were to assign a new name and symbol to Dhinakaran’s group it would not affect the opposition. Dhinakaran has already contested the R.K. Nagar polls under the symbol of the ‘pressure cooker’ which he went on to win. Among the names he suggested were, All India Amma Anna Dravidar Munnetra Kazhagam, MGR Amma Dravidar Munnetra Kazhagam, and MGR Amma Dravidar Kazhagam. Dhinakaran also acknowledged that forming a new party would mean giving up the claim on the original party.
The decision on the party symbol and name has been scheduled for 16th February 2018. He also contended that if they were not allotted a symbol and name then it would go against their fundamental rights. The matter will be heard by Justice Rekha Palli. The High Court last year rejected the plea for the ‘hat’ symbol for the R.K. Nagar bypoll. The local body election will take place in April. Dhinakaran is also challenging the Election Commission order which awarded the two leaves symbol to the faction led by O. Palaniswami and O. Panneerselvam.