# AIADMK internal disputes and political protests

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/aiadmk-internal-disputes-and-political-protests
> Updated: 2026-08-14T03:00:04.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

Internal friction has emerged within the AIADMK party, as senior leaders SP Velumani and Natham R. Viswanathan criticized General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami. The dissidents attributed recent electoral losses to Palaniswami’s unilateral decision-making and urged the reinstatement of ousted leaders VK Sasikala and TTV Dhinakaran, along with over 400 expelled members.

Simultaneously, the party has engaged in external political activism. Edappadi K. Palaniswami has led statewide protests in Tamil Nadu, demanding a complete waiver of crop loans for farmers. The AIADMK is also protesting the government’s response to the Cauvery water dispute, specifically accusing the administration of failing to address the Mekedatu project in Karnataka.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-14: AIADMK leader Palaniswami leads statewide protests in Tamil Nadu

AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami is leading statewide protests in Tamil Nadu demanding a complete waiver of farmers' crop loans and action on the Cauvery water dispute.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aiadmk-leader-palaniswami-leads-statewide-protests-in-tamil-nadu

### 2026-08-09: AIADMK leaders urge return of Sasikala and Dhinakaran

AIADMK leaders SP Velumani and Natham R. Viswanathan have urged Edappadi K. Palaniswami to rejoin VK Sasikala and TTV Dhinakaran to the party to address internal divisions and electoral failures.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/aiadmk-leaders-urge-return-of-sasikala-and-dhinakaran-to-party

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Cite as: AIADMK internal disputes and political protests. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/aiadmk-internal-disputes-and-political-protests