Information has emerged that DMK president MK Stalin has been directly contacting disgruntled AIADMK functionaries in the aftermath of the party’s Assembly election defeat. The report claims he has been offering reassurance and urging them not to drift away amid internal discontent.
AIADMK has faced turbulence since the setback, with four MLAs resigning and joining actor Vijay’s TVK, according to the report. It also notes that a group of MLAs led by former minister SP Velumani, who had earlier opposed AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, later reunited with him.
Despite this, dissatisfaction is said to be continuing within the party, with former ministers, MLAs and district- and union-level office-bearers reportedly moving towards TVK. The report alleges that Palaniswami has not shown sufficient interest in personally reaching out to unhappy leaders.
Against this backdrop, Stalin is said to have expressed concern over AIADMK leaders shifting to TVK and has begun speaking to them through DMK district secretaries and senior leaders. One former minister from Chennai, who was reportedly unhappy with Palaniswami, is said to have joined the DMK after speaking with Stalin.
According to a disgruntled AIADMK functionary quoted in the report, Stalin’s message has been that internal disputes are normal and should not lead to abandoning “Dravidian tradition” for a new party, where due respect may not be assured. He is also said to have told them to stay in AIADMK, but if they are determined to switch, they should come to the DMK where he would “embrace” them and ensure appropriate respect and positions.
