AIADMK Feud Deepens: Former Ministers Velumani, Natham Viswanathan Blame Palaniswami for Poll Defeats

Former ministers S.P. Velumani and Natham R. Viswanathan issued a fresh joint criticism of AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on August 9, deepening the rift within the party by holding him responsible for its defeats in the 2021 and 2026 Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

In a joint representation to Palaniswami, the two leaders demanded the reinstatement of more than 400 party functionaries who were removed from their posts after the AIADMK's defeat in the 2026 Assembly election.

Velumani and Viswanathan accused Palaniswami of missing alliance opportunities in the 2021, 2024 and 2026 elections, alleging his unilateral decisions had blocked tie-ups with several parties, including the DMDK, Puthiya Tamilagam, PMK, the BJP and the camp led by T.T.V. Dhinakaran.

The two leaders renewed their demand that V.K. Sasikala and AMMK general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran be brought back into the AIADMK, arguing that a broader, unified organisation was essential to revive the party ahead of the 2031 Assembly election.

The statement came a day after Viswanathan and Velumani were assigned by the party to lead AIADMK protests against the TVK government scheduled for August 14 in Ramanathapuram and Theni districts respectively.