AIADMK heals internal rift as rebel MLAs return to EPS camp; declare unity restored

Chennai: The AIADMK appears to have moved towards reconciliation after a brief internal split within the party’s legislative wing, with both factions asserting that differences have been resolved and unity restored.

A delegation of MLAs led by former minister S P Velumani met AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami at his residence on Greenways Road in Chennai on Wednesday and expressed support for his leadership.

Velumani, however, denied that there had been any formal split in the party, describing the situation instead as a “difference of opinion” between groups of MLAs aligned with different leaders, including the Shanmugam–Velumani camp.

C Ve Shanmugam, who had earlier been part of the rebel grouping, was not present at the meeting. Velumani later claimed that he was also in agreement with the reconciliation effort.

Following the meeting, Velumani and supporting MLAs also met Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J C D Prabhakar and submitted a letter stating that they would function as a single unified group in the House. Former minister C Vijayabaskar also accompanied the delegation and withdrew an earlier communication seeking recognition as party whip.

The Speaker said he would announce his decision on the matter on Thursday after examining the submissions.

Addressing reporters, Velumani said there was “no split in the AIADMK” and that reports suggesting otherwise were misleading. He added that the differences had arisen after the party’s performance in the April 23 Assembly election, following which some members had called for an internal review.

He further said that earlier petitions submitted to the Speaker seeking disqualification of MLAs under anti-defection provisions had also been withdrawn by both sides.

Velumani said AIADMK general secretary Palaniswami had agreed to consider forming a committee to review the party’s electoral performance and identify reasons for its defeat in a phased manner.

“We are in AIADMK, which will function as a united and strong force,” he said, adding that unity had been restored following internal discussions.

During the period of internal friction, four AIADMK MLAs had resigned from the party and joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, reducing the AIADMK’s strength in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly from 47 to 43.