Former AIADMK ministers including S.P. Velumani, Natham Viswanathan, K.C. Veeramani and M.R. Vijayabaskar have accused party leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) of attempting to form a government in alliance with the DMK after the Assembly election.
In a letter, the leaders said their decision—along with about 25 MLAs—to back the TAVEK government was rooted in the party’s traditional anti-DMK stance and the principles associated with MGR and Jayalalithaa.
They also alleged that after internal arrangements, several office-bearers, district secretaries and functionaries were removed from responsibilities, leaving cadres demoralised. The letter specifically flagged that C.V. Shanmugam was sidelined without being given any post.
According to the signatories, EPS had assured that those relieved of party responsibilities on May 13 would be reinstated to their earlier posts on June 4, but this did not happen. They claimed that over the past 50 days, functionaries and workers have been leaving in groups to join TAVEK.
The former ministers said the posts announced now were not acceptable to them and that the current situation prevents them from taking up party work under those appointments. They maintained, however, that they would continue as party members.
