Chennai, Oct 17:
The AIADMK has removed more than 100 functionaries supporting former minister C V Shanmugam from their organisational posts in Villupuram district, intensifying the internal rift within the party.
The action, ordered by party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, covers functionaries ranging from union secretaries to branch secretaries in Mailam union, which falls under the Mailam Assembly constituency represented by Shanmugam.
The latest move follows Shanmugamās removal as Villupuram district secretary and disciplinary action against several of his supporters in July. Pasupathi was subsequently appointed district secretary in his place, leading to the emergence of rival factions in the district.
Differences within the party intensified after the AIADMKās defeat in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections held in April. Shanmugam and former minister S P Velumani, along with some MLAs, reportedly questioned the leadership under Palaniswami.
The partyās recent defeats in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly by-elections, where it finished third, have further fuelled discontent among senior leaders. Shanmugam and some other leaders have reportedly demanded an immediate general council meeting to discuss the electoral setbacks.
However, Palaniswami has continued taking disciplinary action against those opposing the leadership, with the latest removals signalling further escalation of the factional differences within the Villupuram unit.