1,151 AIADMK Functionaries Resign at Jayalalithaa Memorial in Protest Against EPS

On Monday, 1,151 AIADMK functionaries and cadres loyal to former minister C Ve Shanmugam resigned en masse at J Jayalalithaa’s memorial in Chennai, sparking a major internal rebellion against party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami. The protesting members, who traveled from Villupuram district, gathered at the landmark memorial to sign their resignation letters in protest of the party's leadership.

The mass resignation has signaled fresh trouble for Edappadi K Palaniswami, commonly known as EPS. The protesting members openly blamed his leadership for the party's recent electoral setbacks. This rebellion follows the recent sacking of 11 party functionaries from Villupuram district by EPS. According to the protestors, the sacked individuals were all general council members who held voting rights within the party.

While his supporters resigned in large numbers, former minister C Ve Shanmugam himself has not resigned from the party.

The demonstration led to tense moments at the AIADMK headquarters in Chennai later in the day. Former Tindivanam MLA P Arjunan arrived at the party office to submit the compiled resignation letters of the protesting functionaries. Upon his arrival, Arjunan was heckled by EPS loyalists who accused him of "backstabbing" the party general secretary. Local police had to intervene at the headquarters to bring the tense situation under control.

Earlier in the morning, Shanmugam’s supporters had started gathering at J Jayalalithaa’s memorial, arriving in buses from Villupuram district. They raised slogans against EPS and signed their resignation letters on-site. The signed documents were then handed over to Arjunan, who transported them to the party headquarters.

Speaking to reporters, Arjunan confirmed that 1,151 functionaries and cadres had officially resigned from their primary membership of the AIADMK. He reiterated that the mass resignation was a direct protest against EPS' leadership, which they blame for the party's ongoing electoral setbacks.