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AIADMK leadership crisis and defection disputes

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2026-10-17 06:52 UTC → 2026-10-29 05:58 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Following third-place finishes in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly by-elections, the AIADMK is facing an intensified leadership crisis. Senior leaders, including former ministers S. P. Velumani and C. Ve. Shanmugam, have actively challenged General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, calling for a General Council meeting to demand organizational changes and address electoral setbacks. In a recent escalation of this internal friction, Palaniswami has initiated an organizational crackdown in the Villupuram district. He removed more than 100 party officials from their posts, specifically targeting members of the Mayilam Union, including union-level officials and branch secretaries, who are loyal to C.V. Shanmugam. This move follows Palaniswami’s previous decision to replace Shanmugam as the Villupuram district secretary with Pashupathi, a shift that has resulted in two opposing factions within the district. The instability follows a period where 25 MLAs led by Velumani supported the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) during a confidence vote, leading to six resignations. While dissenters attempt to consolidate dissatisfied leaders, Palaniswami has dismissed rumors of mass defections to the TVK. During a meeting in Salem, Palaniswami asserted that the AIADMK remains a robust organization and criticized the TVK for lacking a strong grassroots structure. To address the recent losses and internal pressure, Palaniswami has scheduled a meeting of district secretaries for November 1 in Chennai. The gathering aims to strengthen organizational machinery at the district, constituency, and booth levels while discussing strategies to confront the TVK government.

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