AIADMK crisis: CV Shanmugam faction defies EPS to support Vijay's TVK government in Tamil Nadu
AIADMK crisis: In a massive blow to Edappadi K. Palaniswami, a CV Shanmugam-led AIADMK faction has extended support to CM Vijay’s TVK government. As internal rifts widen, discover how this shift impacts Tamil Nadu's new ruling coalition and the future of the AIADMK.
by Zee Media Bureau · Zee NewsAIADMK crisis: Following a devastating electoral loss, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has now announced that they will give support to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, headed by the state's chief minister Vijay in the coming assembly floor test. This development was recently announced by C.V. Shanmugam, a senior leader of the party.
'The Anti-DMK' AIADMK rejected the EPS' offer
In one such revealing announcement, Shanmugam alleged that the party's chairman, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, known popularly by his initials EPS, had reportedly made an offer for an impossible alliance of forming a government together with their bitter rivals, DMK.
"It was the DMK that we formed this party against. For 53 years, our politics has always been against the DMK. Most of our members refused the offer," said Shanmugam to media persons. He further stated, "If we form an alliance with the DMK, then there will be no AIADMK. Ultimately, we decided to support TVK, which won."
A leadership crisis: The AIADMK in turmoil
Following their poor performance in the elections in which the AIADMK secured 47 out of 234 seats, they have now openly rebelled against Palaniswami's leadership of the party.
Legislative coup: Shanmugam's team of MLAs has forwarded a letter to the pro-tem Speaker requesting the replacement of EPS with S.P. Velumani, who is the former minister of the state as the party legislature leader of AIADMK.
Boycotting the strategy meeting: Prominent leaders and many MLAs have kept themselves away from the meetings called for strategy organized by Palaniswami, and prefer meeting with the Shanmugam-Velumani camp.
Groupism in the Legislative Assembly: The differences were seen among the AIADMK legislators when they took the oath at the session, with AIADMK MLAs sitting together in their respective camps.
The exit of the BJP and revival of AIADMK
Confirming the fact that the AIADMK no longer holds any alliance with another political party, Shanmugam said that the party must now focus on its "revitalisation and strengthening" since many felt that the BJP alliance was hurting the party’s growth.
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