Rival AIADMK factions in Chennai led by Edappadi K Palaniswami and two senior leaders from both sides met on Thursday to decide the next course of action in the wake of widening differences that spilled over into testing the ground for the TVK government as the opposition party suffered cross-voting.
With Palaniswami removing rebel leaders and MLAs including C Ve Shanmugam and SP Velumani, the duo in the forefront against him, from their party positions, the two sides entered into brainstorming sessions with their supporters on Thursday.
Amid rising tensions in the AIADMK, the party headquarters, Puratchi Thalaivar MGR Maaligai, has come under heavy police security cover, apparently in anticipation of trouble. Violence broke out and the AIADMK headquarters was targeted and damaged during the growing disagreements between Palaniswami and then party leader O Panneerselvam over the 2022 leadership tussle.
AIADMK sources here said the Shanmugam-Velumani faction was planning to consider legal options since his group has a “higher number of mutual legal assistance” than legislators supporting Palaniswami. “They are also planning to ask Palaniswami again to hold a general council meeting,” a senior party official said.
Before the meeting, Shanmugam, speaking to the media, asserted that his MLAs or senior leaders will not visit the AIADMK headquarters unless his group gets justice. “In any case, I will not come to the head office,” he said, adding, “We will also ensure that there will be no clash between the two groups.”
Palaniswami also chaired a meeting with MLAs supporting him at his residence here to counter the rebel group. A large number of AIADMK cadres thronged Palaniswami’s residence with flower bouquets to extend their support. He was also summoned by newly appointed officials.
Meanwhile, Palaniswami supporter, Agri MLA S Krishnamurthy and legislator Thalavai N Sundaram met Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar seeking action on their complaint seeking disqualification of the rebel MLAs as they did not vote against the government in the floor test on Wednesday in line with the party’s directions.
Official sources said they also urged the Speaker to appoint the party leader in the Legislative Council, his deputy and the party whip.
Meanwhile, Palaniswami has removed party MLA G Hari from his party posts.
The AIADMK chief said in a statement that Hari, a Tiruttani army chief, has been “discharged” from party posts, including organization secretary. He is part of the rebel faction.
This article was generated from an automated news feed without any modifications to the text.
