Chennai
oi-Prakash KL
The simmering divisions within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) erupted dramatically on Tuesday, marking a turning point in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
A powerful faction led by senior leaders S.P. Velumani and C. Ve. Shanmugham broke ranks with party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), pledging support to Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government and signaling their intent to join the Cabinet.
AIADMK leaders S.P. Velumani and C. Ve. Shanmugham formed a faction supporting Vijay’s TVK government, elected Velumani floor leader, and resolved against an alliance with DMK, weakening Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s leadership following electoral defeats.
This move, laden with symbolism, effectively reduced EPS to a diminished minority within the party he had struggled to keep intact since the death of J. Jayalalithaa. For nearly a decade, EPS had sought to consolidate AIADMK’s base, but the latest defection underscores the erosion of his authority.
Speaking to reporters, C. Ve. Shanmugham acknowledged the party’s repeated electoral setbacks. “As AIADMK, we faced defeat not only in the recently concluded election but also in previous ones. We asked our General Secretary to convene a General Council meeting to discuss the reasons behind these defeats and chart a path forward,” he said.
Shanmugham rejected suggestions that AIADMK should align with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), calling such proposals a betrayal of the party’s founding principles. “AIADMK was created to uproot the DMK, which we consider an evil force in Tamil Nadu. Any alliance with them would go against the vision of Dr. MGR and Amma. Our legislators and members strongly oppose it,” he declared.
At a legislative party meeting, members passed a resolution opposing any tie-up with the DMK, warning that such a move could spell the party’s extinction. Instead, the faction elected S.P. Velumani as the AIADMK floor leader, consolidating their position. Another resolution formally accepted the people’s mandate, which Shanmugham emphasized was not just for TVK but specifically for Vijay to assume the role of Chief Minister.
The AIADMK’s electoral decline has been stark. In the recent polls, the party was reduced to just 47 seats, a far cry from its once-dominant status. The setback has emboldened rebels who argue that aligning with TVK offers a chance to remain politically relevant.
According to reports, Leema, a key strategist, played a pivotal role in bridging communication between the AIADMK rebels and TVK, facilitating the faction’s decisive shift.
The developments mark a watershed moment for Tamil Nadu politics. With AIADMK’s internal fracture now laid bare, EPS faces the daunting task of salvaging his leadership amid dwindling support. Meanwhile, Vijay’s TVK gains momentum, bolstered by defections that could reshape the state’s political equations in the months ahead.
