AIADMK veteran S. Semmalai resigns — "Camphor may dissolve, but can a party dissolve?"

Senior AIADMK leader S. Semmalai on Monday resigned from the party and submitted his resignation letter to AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, citing dissatisfaction over recent developments within the party and expressing anguish over its current state. He said the series of events in the party following the elections had caused him "immense mental anguish" and claimed that lakhs of party workers shared similar concerns.

In a strongly worded resignation letter, Semmalai said: "Is this the fate of the movement created by the Golden-Hearted Revolutionary Leader MG Ramachandran and protected by the Revolutionary Leader Amma J. Jayalalithaa? Camphor may dissolve; but can a party dissolve? It pains, it truly pains the heart." The AIADMK leadership is yet to officially respond to Semmalai's resignation letter.

Party insiders say Semmalai's exit could have a ripple effect among grassroots cadres, particularly in western Tamil Nadu where he holds influence. Political observers believe this development may further impact the AIADMK's organisational strength ahead of future electoral challenges.