AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami is reportedly holding consultations on whether to take disciplinary action against former minister C.V. Shanmugam, who has been openly critical of the party leadership.
According to the report, after the Assembly election defeat, a dissenting group has been active within the AIADMK, led by former ministers C.V. Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani. While Velumani has not directly attacked Palaniswami and has instead spoken about strengthening the party by bringing in leaders such as Sasikala and T.T.V. Dhinakaran, Shanmugam has continued sharp criticism of Palaniswami.
The leadership is said to have responded by denying Shanmugam any party post, while assigning roles to leaders including Velumani, Thangamani and Viswanathan. The report also claims that functionaries aligned with Shanmugam have been removed from party positions.
MLAs quoted in the report said Palaniswami is attempting to consolidate control by removing opponents from the executive and general council. They added that inaction against Shanmugam has raised doubts among Palaniswami’s supporters about his authority, prompting discussions on whether to expel or suspend him.
While some leaders, including former minister Agri Krishnamurthy, are said to favour expulsion, others have cautioned that removing Shanmugam could push him to back the ruling TVK government and that anti-defection provisions may not apply. Senior leaders are also said to have advised waiting, citing the possibility of a widening rift between Shanmugam and Velumani over the proposal to induct Sasikala and Dhinakaran.
