HC: AIADMK Members Must Renew Membership Every 5 Years to File Civil Suits

Quick Summary:

• The Madras High Court ruled that an AIADMK member who failed to renew thier membership by paying ₹10 every five years, as per party bylaws, cannot file civil suits regarding party affairs.
• Justice P.B. Balaji clarified that valid membership requires renewal at the end of each five-year term-failure to do so results in forfeiture of membership.
• The ruling was made in a case brought by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, challenging a suit filed by S. Suriyamoorthy questioning Mr. Palaniswami’s authority to lead the party.
• Suriyamoorthy did not renew his AIADMK membership after 2018 and contested in the 2021 Tamil Nadu elections as a candidate of MGR Makkal Katchi, leading to disqualification under Rule 5(ii) of the bylaws due to association wiht another political association.
• Justice Balaji rejected arguments claiming continued AIADMK affiliation and relied on Election Commission records confirming Suriyamoorthy contested under MGR Makkal Katchi.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
This ruling reinforces adherence to internal protocols within political parties, emphasizing the necessity for members to follow organizational bylaws for active standing-an essential element for preventing disputes over leadership or other matters. The stipulated renewal process creates a mechanism for accountability and clarity within party ranks while ensuring alignment with formal rules governing political affiliations under Indian law.

The court’s reliance on bylaws and official election records strengthens institutional credibility while narrowing avenues for litigation rooted in ambiguous claims about memberships or allegiances-a significant step toward robust organizational governance in India’s multi-party democracy.

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