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AIADMK Faces Turmoil Amid Resignations and Internal Strife
The AIADMK continues to unravel as the party sees yet another significant resignation. Former health minister and Viralimalai MLA C Vijayabaskar announced his departure on Tuesday, marking the end of a long affiliation with the party that began in his youth. He expressed sadness over the party's struggles, attributing its current turmoil to the missteps of “one individual.” Vijayabaskar, who has held multiple terms in the Tamil Nadu Assembly since 2001, leaves behind a faction increasingly fractured and lacking cohesion.
In a growing rift, the EPS faction has urged the Speaker to disqualify around 25 rebel MLAs, including Shanmugam and S. P. Velumani, for defying party directives. Conversely, the dissenting group has retaliated with a counter-petition, seeking the disqualification of EPS and a number of his supporters, claiming to represent the true AIADMK legislative party. Despite efforts at reconciliation between EPS and CVS, the underlying fractures within the party remain stark, revealing deeper issues like caste divides and accusations of dynastic politics that threaten its political viability in Tamil Nadu.
The recent departure of actor Gautami Tadimalla from her role as deputy propaganda secretary adds to the mounting challenges faced by the AIADMK. Citing “current political circumstances,” she expressed her intention to focus on social service instead. Having joined the AIADMK in February 2024 after her exit from the BJP, Gautami reportedly felt overlooked in her bid for a ticket from Rajapalayam for the upcoming Assembly elections. When approached for comment, she stated,
I do not want to comment on it right now. I will be holding a presser to discuss more in the coming days.This resignation is part of a broader trend, with several other prominent figures also leaving to join the rival TVK party.
The exodus from the AIADMK is unmistakable, with over 300 members departing in late May alone. The party's strength in the 234-member Assembly has dwindled from 47 to 43 due to these resignations. Political experts suggest that while the factions have temporarily retracted their complaints, the morale and structure of the party have been severely damaged, as more members continue to depart. Political analyst Arun Kumar noted that despite the potential for reconciliation, the party's internal issues—such as the sidelining of loyalists and a lack of younger leadership—persist, undermining EPS's ability to revive the party’s fortunes.
Former MLA Natraj, who joined the TVK, criticized the party's current trajectory, stating, “Many people left the party after our leader Jayalalithaa’s demise, but EPS had an opportunity to hold everyone together.” He lamented that the AIADMK has become increasingly factionalized, particularly in its southern and western strongholds, and suggested that EPS has failed to fulfill his leadership duties effectively.
Concerns about dynastic politics have also emerged, with C V Shanmugam voicing discontent over moves to promote EPS’s son, Mithun, within party ranks. He challenged the necessity of such maneuvers, stating,
If he wants to enter politics, let him enter openly. Why such drama?Shanmugam acknowledged the AIADMK's previous electoral successes owed much to its alliance with the Pattali Makkal Katchi, highlighting weaknesses in EPS's foundational support.
Political observers are wary, emphasizing that the party's difficulties run deeper than recent factional disputes. Sunil Kumar, another analyst, pointed out that the AIADMK's electoral performance has suffered since 2019, with fractures intensifying after Jayalalithaa's passing. The lack of unity among leaders and factions has left the party in disarray, posing significant challenges as it navigates an increasingly uncertain political landscape.
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