AIADMK functionaries have alleged that party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami allotted five constituencies to the Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) in a manner that could indirectly aid the re-election prospects of DMK ministers. The charge has sparked discontent within sections of the party.
According to the functionaries, the TMC led by G.K. Vasan has been allotted Ranipet, Erode West, Ottanchathiram, Kumbakonam and Killiyoor as part of the alliance. They pointed out that Ranipet is currently represented by DMK minister R. Gandhi.
They claimed that in Ranipet, AIADMK district secretary Sukumar—who had earlier been in the Congress and served as Gandhi’s chief booth agent—was unwilling to contest against the minister and, after discussions with Palaniswami, the seat was shifted to the TMC.
Similar allegations were raised about Erode West, where DMK minister S. Muthusamy is said to share a close relationship with Palaniswami, including being distant relatives. The functionaries alleged that Palaniswami has not issued even a statement against the minister and has now ceded the seat to the TMC instead of fielding an AIADMK candidate.
They also cited Ottanchathiram, alleging that former AIADMK minister S.P. Velumani is close to DMK minister R. Sakkarapani, and that the constituency was moved to the TMC to strengthen Sakkarapani’s prospects. The functionaries contrasted this with the Jayalalithaa era, claiming she acted firmly against any perceived proximity to the DMK, and said the current approach was “dangerous” for the party.
