The AIADMK leadership in Villupuram district has ousted 11 office-bearers from their posts following a clash between rival factions during a party meeting. The altercation between supporters of senior leader C.Ve. Shanmugam and newly appointed district secretary Pasupathi turned violent, revealing underlying factional tensions.
The confrontation erupted into chaos as heated arguments led to stone-throwing and a road blockade by party workers. In response, the AIADMK leadership took action to remove 11 functionaries associated with Shanmugam’s group from their roles in Villupuram. This disciplinary move aims to restore order and strengthen discipline within the district unit.
The rivalry between the two factions dates back to the Assembly elections, where the AIADMK faced a setback and slipped to third place in the state. Despite efforts to show unity under General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, factionalism persists at the local level in certain areas, notably in Villupuram. The appointment of Pasupathi as district secretary further fueled tensions between his supporters and Shanmugam loyalists.
