The ruling AIADMK at its general council meet here on Sunday hailed its top two leaders O Panneerselvam and K Palaniswami as "guardians" and credited them for their stellar party work.
After the death of its iconic leader J Jayalalithaa in 2016, party coordinator O Panneerselvam and co-coordinator K Palaniswami were the "guardians of the party who are rendering stellar work," a resolution adopted at the meeting said.
The two leaders, with smile writ large on their faces held swords of victory presented to them on the occasion.
The endorsement of the duo's leadership at the general council and executive committee meet assumes significance as this is the first meeting of the top decision making bodies months after some had voiced support for a single leadership.
In June, following the Lok Sabha poll debacle, AIADMK MLA V V Rajan Chellappa had pitched for a single "charismatic" leadership to steer the party, saying the present arrangement of dual power centres impeded quick decisions.
Soon, the AIADMK asserted that the status quo would prevail and Palaniswami and Panneerselvam would jointly continue to steer the outfit.
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The seal of approval comes against the backdrop of the party's victory in recent bypolls to Vikravandi and Nanguneri Assembly segments which has helped further enhance the stature of the two leaders.
Chief Minister K Palaniswami, addressing the meet, said he came to occupy the top slot both in the party and government only after decades of work in the party organisation right from the lowest levels.
His remark is also seen as a reply to the recent "wonder" remark of top actor Rajinikanth.
The superstar, who is expected to foray into politics, had said Palaniswami "would not even have dreamt" of assuming the Chief Minister's post and described his elevation as "wonder and marvel."
Notably, the resolution hailed late party supremo J Jayalalithaa as the "permanent party general secretary."