AIADMK Leadership Rift: Palaniswami vs. Velumani Tug-of-War Intensifies

The AIADMK party in Tamil Nadu is experiencing internal divisions with a split over leadership. Factions led by Edappadi K Palaniswami and S P Velumani vie for the position of legislature party leader. This divide follows a string of electoral defeats, prompting calls for leadership change to unify the party.

The internal rift within Tamil Nadu's AIADMK party escalated on Monday, starkly dividing its legislators into factions supporting Edappadi K Palaniswami and S P Velumani as floor leaders. The discord surfaced as newly elected members attended the 17th Legislative Assembly's inaugural session.

Ex-minister C V Shanmugam filed a letter with Pro-tem Speaker M V Karuppaiah, advocating for S P Velumani’s leadership. Meanwhile, another MLA group backed Palaniswami. With the party yet to appoint a floor leader, political tensions mount.

The division signals broader troubles following electoral losses, with some members pressing for Palaniswami's resignation. Insiders reveal potential cooperation between certain party factions and the TVK could further alter AIADMK's future.