Chennai, May 12:
The simmering rebellion within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has taken a sharper turn, with dissident leaders expressing deep disappointment over party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) allegedly exploring the possibility of forming a government with the support of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
The development has triggered strong reactions within the party, with senior leaders warning that such a move would fundamentally contradict the AIADMK’s core political identity.
Addressing reporters after a series of consultations with rebel MLAs, senior leader C Ve Shanmugam said the very suggestion of aligning with the DMK had “shocked” legislators. He noted that the AIADMK was founded as a political force in opposition to the DMK and had sustained that ideological rivalry for decades. Any attempt to seek DMK’s backing for forming a government, he argued, would erode the party’s credibility and alienate its support base.
The dissident camp made it clear that it had unanimously rejected the proposal. Leaders maintained that the AIADMK must retain its independent political stance, especially in the aftermath of its recent electoral defeat as part of the NDA alliance. They stressed that the focus should now be on rebuilding the party organisation rather than pursuing alliances that could dilute its identity.
In a significant political move, the rebel faction also announced its decision to extend support to the government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. The decision, they said, was taken in the interest of political stability while the party undergoes internal restructuring.
The group also unveiled a reshuffle in the legislature party leadership, appointing SP Velumani as leader, C Vijayabaskar as whip, Hari as deputy leader, and R Kamaraj as secretary. According to Shanmugam, these changes have been formally communicated to the Assembly authorities.
Despite the intensifying internal conflict, rebel leaders insisted that their actions were not aimed at splitting the party. Instead, they described the current moment as one requiring introspection and collective responsibility. The AIADMK, they said, has faced a series of electoral setbacks that demand a candid review of leadership decisions and political strategy.
Backing this position, Velumani called for the convening of the party’s general council at the earliest to deliberate on the reasons for repeated defeats and to chart a corrective course. He emphasised that internal democracy and open discussion were essential to restoring the party’s strength and reconnecting with voters.
The dissidents also invoked the legacy of party founder M G Ramachandran and former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, asserting that the movement must be protected and revitalised. They reiterated that their ultimate goal is to rebuild the AIADMK and bring back what they described as “Amma’s rule” in Tamil Nadu.
With sharp differences now out in the open, the AIADMK appears to be entering a crucial phase, where leadership choices and ideological clarity will determine its future trajectory in the State’s political landscape.