AIADMK Removes Over 100 Supporters of CV Shanmugam Amid Leadership Struggles

Chennai, October 17 (Daily Kiran) : The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has taken significant action against over 100 party officials associated with former minister CV Shanmugam in Chennai. This move comes as internal strife within the party escalates following a series of electoral defeats.

The dismissals primarily targeted officials from the Mayilam Union, which falls under Shanmugam’s constituency in Villupuram district. Those removed include union-level officers and branch secretaries, indicating a concerted effort to undermine Shanmugam’s influence in his political stronghold.

This decision arrives as Shanmugam and several senior leaders, including former minister S.P. Velumani, have demanded an urgent meeting of the General Council. They aim to discuss the reasons behind the party’s recent electoral failures and poor performance.

Discontent within the AIADMK surfaced after the party’s defeat in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in April. A faction of legislators, led by Shanmugam and Velumani, challenged the leadership of Edappadi K. Palaniswami, creating a rift in the party. Since then, Shanmugam has continued to work with a breakaway group of supporters, further deepening divisions in the Villupuram district.

In a bid to consolidate power, Palaniswami has appointed Pashupati as the new district secretary, effectively removing Shanmugam from his position. This has resulted in two opposing factions within the district—one loyal to Shanmugam and the other under the newly appointed secretary.

The situation worsened following the AIADMK’s poor performance in the recent by-elections for the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly seats, where the party finished third. These setbacks have reignited criticism from discontented leaders regarding the party’s direction.

Shanmugam, Velumani, and other leaders have reiterated their call for a General Council meeting to address the implications of these defeats and the leadership’s response.

By removing numerous officials from the Mayilam Union, Palaniswami is attempting to tighten his grip on the district unit. This broad action underscores the ongoing leadership struggle within the party. With mounting pressure to reverse its electoral decline, the AIADMK faces significant challenges in re-establishing its organizational strength.

Despite these internal challenges, Palaniswami has responded by dismissing officials linked to his opponents, a continuation of the purges that began in July when Shanmugam was ousted from his role as district secretary. The factional disputes remain unresolved, with both groups continuing to operate separately.