Ex-AIADMK Ministers Blame EPS for Poll Defeats and Demand Reforms

Internal rifts within the AIADMK deepened on Sunday in Chennai as former ministers Natham R Viswanathan and SP Velumani issued a joint representation holding general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami responsible for the party's electoral defeats in the 2021 and 2026 Assembly elections, as well as the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

In their joint representation to Palaniswami, the two senior leaders urged the party general secretary to restore more than 400 functionaries who had been removed from party posts following the 2026 Assembly election. Calling for greater accommodation of dissent within the organisation, Viswanathan and Velumani cited the "forget and forgive" approach previously adopted by former leaders MGR and Jayalalithaa.

The joint statement came a day after Viswanathan and Velumani were assigned to lead the AIADMK's planned August 14 protests against the TVK government in Ramanathapuram and Theni districts respectively. Both leaders declined the newly created positions of deputy general secretary within the party and chose to continue signing their official statements in their capacity as MLAs.

The duo reiterated their demand that VK Sasikala and AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran be brought back into the AIADMK fold. They argued that building a broader organisation was essential to revive the party and adequately prepare for the 2031 Assembly election.

Accusing Palaniswami of missing crucial alliance opportunities across the 2021, 2024, and 2026 elections, the leaders alleged that his unilateral decisions prevented potential electoral tie-ups. They pointed out that prospective alliances were blocked with Dhinakaran's camp, the DMDK, Puthiya Tamilagam, the PMK, and the BJP.

Additionally, the duo alleged that 25 of the AIADMK's 47 MLAs were pushed into an anti-DMK position after the 2026 election, following a decision by the leadership to explore an alliance with the DMK. They stated that party cadres and senior functionaries were increasingly unhappy over the alleged sidelining of party veterans and a lack of consultations on electoral strategy and the future course of the organisation.