ADMK leadership crisis deepens; rival factions consult supporters
The internal rift within the AIADMK reached a critical stage on Thursday as competing factions, led by Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) and a group of senior dissenters, held separate high-stakes meetings to chart their future. This escalation follows a controversial floor test for the TVK government on Wednesday, where instances of cross-voting exposed the widening fractures within the opposition party.
Retaliatory removals and rebel defiance
In a swift response to the perceived betrayal, Palaniswami ousted key rebel figures, including C V Shanmugam and S P Velumani, from their party positions. These leaders, now operating as a unified front against EPS, gathered their supporters to brainstorm strategies, which reportedly include exploring legal avenues and demanding a fresh general council meeting. The rebel camp currently claims to command the loyalty of a majority of the party’s legislators.
Standoff at party headquarters
Heightened tension has prompted a heavy police presence at the party headquarters, Puratchi Thalaivar MGR Maaligai, to avoid a recurrence of the violent clashes that marred the 2022 leadership struggle. Addressing the media before his faction's meeting, Shanmugam took a resolute stand by declaring, "won't step in to headquarters till we get justice," and further asserted that "in any situation, I will not come to the head office”. Despite the hardline stance, he maintained that his group would "ensure that there will not be any clash between the two groups”.
Legal battles and legislative maneuvers
Meanwhile, the EPS faction has taken the battle to the legislative arena. Loyalists met with Assembly Speaker J C D Prabhakar to petition for the disqualification of the rebel MLAs, citing their failure to adhere to the party whip during the floor test. They have also urged the Speaker to officially recognise their designated legislature party leadership. As the purge continues, Palaniswami further consolidated his control by removing Tiruttani MLA G Hari from all party roles due to his association with the dissident faction.
PTI