AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has removed more than 2,000 party members identified as supporters of former minister C.V. Shanmugam from their organisational positions, according to the report.
The action comes in the backdrop of internal friction within the party following its Assembly election defeat. A dissenting group, said to be led by former ministers S.P. Velumani and C.V. Shanmugam, has been pressing for a general council meeting to discuss the reasons for the loss.
Former AIADMK ministers were quoted as saying that Shanmugam had earlier been a key support to Palaniswami on legal matters and was aware of his vulnerabilities. They claimed that even after Shanmugam was removed from the post of Villupuram district secretary due to the internal rift, the party leadership has struggled to assert control in the district.
As Shanmugam is an MLA, the report said he has not been removed from the party. Instead, the leadership has allegedly sought to isolate him by stripping party responsibilities from over 2,000 of his supporters in Villupuram and Cuddalore districts, while not taking similar action against Velumani’s supporters.
The report further cited sources alleging that personal differences may be driving the move, with deputy general secretary K.P. Munusamy also being linked to the developments due to a long-running dispute with Shanmugam over leadership within the Vanniyar community.
