Divergent opinions within the AIADMK continued on Monday after rebel leader C. Ve. Shanmugam criticised general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Sunday. Several office bearers joined the discussion, offering arguments both supporting and opposing the leadership.
Former agriculture minister and assembly whip ‘Agri’ S. S. Krishnamurthy told reporters in Tiruvannamalai that Palaniswami’s district-level meetings with party workers aimed to gather grassroots opinions. On Saturday, Palaniswami held a three-hour session with representatives from three constituencies in Kancheepuram district. Krishnamurthy noted such broad consultations cannot occur in executive or general council meetings because only senior members speak amid large attendance.
He added that Palaniswami is willing to convene those bodies but prefers completing the district consultations first. Krishnamurthy described Shanmugam’s remarks as stemming from frustration over losing influence in Villupuram district, where the current secretary is performing effectively. He rejected claims that Palaniswami seeks to involve his son Mithun in politics, stating the son has avoided government and party events.
Krishnamurthy accused Shanmugam of practising family politics in Villupuram and blamed electoral losses partly on reliance on such leaders. He recalled that Palaniswami had accommodated Shanmugam as a Rajya Sabha MP after his 2021 defeat, shifted his constituency to Mailam for 2026, restored his district secretary post, and assigned him the minerals portfolio from 2017 to 2021.
Krishnamurthy urged Shanmugam to reflect on the defeat of three of his nominees in Villupuram and noted complaints from allies about poor coordination. He contrasted this with successes in Tiruvannamalai and Salem through united efforts. Krishnamurthy warned Shanmugam to show restraint, citing Palaniswami’s earlier forgiveness of the rebellion by him and 20 legislators.
Former health minister C. Vijayabaskar posted that leadership viewing genuine workers as adversaries offers no path to victory. Party IT wing secretary Raj Satyen criticised attempts to drag the general secretary’s family into the debate, calling it regrettable and urging focus on party recovery.
