Chennai: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), who had recently taken a hard line by stripping party posts from leaders seen as opposing him, has now struck a conciliatory note. In a fresh statement, he appealed to dissatisfied functionaries to resolve differences through internal dialogue.
The party’s setbacks in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election—winning 47 seats and slipping to third place—have triggered internal churn. A separate camp led by former ministers S P Velumani and C V Shanmugam has emerged, with reports in the source saying 25 MLAs have joined it and that the group has openly backed the TVK government.
The Velumani camp is also working to convene a general council meeting against EPS. As per AIADMK rules cited in the report, an emergency general council can be called if one-fifth of the members sign a request; with 3,850 members in total, support from 770 members would be sufficient to move against the general secretary.
EPS’ side has been holding consultations to counter the move. While there were discussions on whether to take further disciplinary action against general council members linked to 28 removed district secretaries, some leaders cautioned that mass removals could deepen resentment. EPS is said to be speaking to district secretaries over phone and in person to keep general council members on his side.
Senior functionaries and businesspersons described as well-wishers of the party have also reportedly pushed to prevent a general council showdown, warning it could lead to another split. In his statement, EPS said the party knows how to act against those who betray it, and also how to accept them back if they reform, adding: “If there is a problem in our party, we will talk and resolve it ourselves.”
