AIADMK Faction Backs Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Amid Internal Strife

An internal division within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) surfaced on Tuesday, revealing a faction’s support for the newly established Tamil Nadu government led by actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). This endorsement comes just ahead of a crucial floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, where the future of the state government hangs in the balance.

The faction, spearheaded by former AIADMK ministers CV Shanmugam and SP Velumani, is reacting to the recent electoral results that saw the AIADMK secure just 47 out of the 167 constituencies it contested. In the wake of these outcomes, party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami convened meetings with party MLAs to strategize on the next steps for the beleaguered party.

However, the internal discord became evident when approximately 30 MLAs expressed their dissatisfaction with Palaniswami’s leadership, attributing the party’s lackluster performance in the elections to his decisions. Shanmugam communicated to the press that the decision to support the TVK was made after acknowledging the electoral verdict, emphasizing that the party must evolve in response to the people’s mandate.

Shanmugam accused Palaniswami of attempting to forge an alliance with the rival Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) following the elections, a move he described as shocking and contradictory to the foundational principles of the AIADMK, which was established in direct opposition to the DMK. He articulated concerns that any collaboration with the DMK would undermine the integrity of the AIADMK.

As part of this shift in allegiance, Shanmugam announced that Velumani had been appointed as the leader of the AIADMK Legislature Party. This reshuffling hints at the faction’s intent to reposition itself within the political landscape of Tamil Nadu, as they prepare for the upcoming challenges in the Assembly. The AIADMK’s future trajectory seems uncertain, with the party grappling with internal dissent and external competition, particularly from the DMK and the newly formed TVK.

Source: scroll.in