The AIADMK defended their decision to appoint VK Sasikala as its interim General Secretary, claiming that the general council of the party had the authority to make such an appointment. According to reports, the party told the EC that the functioning of the party would have come to a standstill had a new general secretary not been appointed after the demise of J Jayalalithaa. The statement comes after the EC asked VK Sasikala to respond to a petition filed by the rival O Panneerselvam camp against her appointment as AIADMK interim General Secretary.