The Election Commission on Friday refused to accept a response by the All India Anna Dravida Munetra Kazhagam’s deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran on various complaints by the party’s rebel faction that challenged his aunt VK Sasikala’s elevation to party chief. The response by Dinakaran had claimed Sasikala was the legitimate choice as the party’s general council had made the appointment.

However the commission said that it did not recognise Dinakaran as an office bearer of the party based on its records, The Hindu reported. EC Secretary Pramod Kumar Sharma wrote to Sasikala, who is lodged in a Bengaluru jail in a disproportionate assets case, saying the response must be signed by Sasikala herself or someone else she authorises.

The AIADMK said this was a minor issue, and the response would be sent back after Sasikala authorised Dinakaran once more.