The AIADMK faced escalating internal turmoil as senior party figure C.V. Shanmugam openly criticized General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami for allegedly seeking an alliance with the DMK. Shanmugam, supported by other AIADMK leaders like S.P. Velumani, expressed concern over the party’s challenging phase post-election defeats. Emphasizing the need to revive the party’s original principles set by M.G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa, Shanmugam highlighted the urgency for change.
In the aftermath of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections where the AIADMK secured only 47 seats, Shanmugam pointed out the failure of the NDA, led by AIADMK, to gain public trust. He revealed that post-defeat discussions saw Palaniswami proposing a tie-up with the DMK, a move strongly opposed by AIADMK members. Shanmugam stressed that aligning with the DMK would jeopardize the AIADMK’s distinct identity, a stance supported by a majority of AIADMK MLAs who nullified the pre-poll alliance and backed the TVK government led by C. Joseph Vijay.
Shanmugam disclosed that S.P. Velumani was elected as the leader of the AIADMK Legislature Party, with C. Vijayabaskar appointed as the party whip in the Assembly. Senior leaders urged Palaniswami to promptly convene the AIADMK General Council to analyze electoral setbacks and implement corrective actions. The party is witnessing factional divisions, with one group led by Palaniswami and another by Velumani and Shanmugam engaging in separate consultations.
