Chennai, May 11:
A visible split has emerged within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) even as the Tamil Nadu Assembly convenes today, with newly elected MLAs set to take oath amid rising internal tensions.
The cracks within the party became evident as its 47 MLAs arrived in two separate groups, signalling deep factional divides following the party’s electoral setback. A group of 11 legislators, led by former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, reached the Assembly together, while a larger bloc of 36 MLAs, led by senior leaders C. V. Shanmugam and S. P. Velumani, arrived separately.
Sources indicate that the faction led by Shanmugam and Velumani has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the party’s performance in the recent elections. The leaders are said to be critical of Palaniswami’s leadership and have reportedly held him responsible for the defeat, intensifying calls for accountability within the party.
The parallel arrivals at the Assembly underline the growing rift, with both camps maintaining distance from each other at a crucial political juncture. The development comes at a time when the Assembly is set to begin proceedings, including the swearing-in of MLAs, marking the start of a new legislative term.
With internal unity under strain, the party faces the challenge of presenting a cohesive front against the ruling dispensation.
As the session begins, all eyes will be on how the leadership addresses the dissent and whether efforts will be made to bridge the divide within one of Tamil Nadu’s prominent political party.