AIADMK deputy general secretary and former minister S.P. Velumani held a consultation meeting with his supporters on Sunday at a private wedding hall in Pudhupalayam, in the Thondamuthur constituency.
Journalists were not allowed into the meeting, which lasted for more than two hours. Notably, no party flag, banner or photographs of party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami were displayed; only images of M.G.R. and J. Jayalalithaa were seen on the dais.
After the meeting, Velumani dined with party functionaries. Speaking to reporters earlier, he said he had come only to thank the office-bearers who worked to secure his victory by a large margin and that he would visit the MLA office on July 2.
Velumani also indicated that he would write to Palaniswami seeking the restoration of posts for his supporters. He responded to questions about the absence of party symbols by pointing to the presence of M.G.R. and Jayalalithaa’s pictures.
The developments come against the backdrop of internal party tensions after the Assembly election, when Velumani and a group of MLAs were accused of violating party discipline, leading to the removal of their posts. Velumani later rejoined the party fold and was recently appointed deputy general secretary, while some earlier positions linked to him were not restored.
