The AIADMK plans to hold large-scale district consultations soon

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami. | Photo credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

The AIADMK, whose performance during the Assembly elections was the worst in its electoral history in more than 50 years, plans to hold large-scale and district-wide consultations with its functionaries and members soon.

After the allegation was made public, several senior functionaries said that the proposed interactions would be planned in such a way that the party’s participation in the assembly session would not be disrupted. Since Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is scheduled to deliver his speech in the House on June 18 and the Assembly usually meets for five days, party interactions may take place after the session.

While it is not known whether the proposed consultation will follow the lines of former chief minister Jayalalithaa’s around 20 years ago, where party members were encouraged to give feedback freely, there is a feeling among party admirers and supporters that the leadership should have a frank exchange of views with participants.

Objective analysis

Reasons for poor performance, including continued under-reporting in some parts of the state, need to be objectively analysed. Such an exercise will help the party, which in eight months has to face not only by-elections in five constituencies, but also local body polls, says a party researcher.

A survey of the party’s performance in the assembly elections shows that apart from winning 47 constituencies, the organization came second with 44 seats and finished third out of 81 seats. In the parliamentary constituencies where it came second, the party’s vote share was at least 30% in 28.

Likewise, in 32 of the 81 seats where she finished third, she secured 25% or more. Among the 60 such constituencies were Kancheepuram, Katpadi, Vandavasi, Kallakurichi, Veppanahalli, Udumalpet, Thuryaiyur, Poompuhar, Sholavandan and Srivaikuntam. The party can initially devote its resources and energy to strengthening the party in these areas before moving on to others, the researcher points out.

While the party can take solace in the fact that party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami recorded the highest victory rate, what should not be ignored is that the party’s vote share in contested seats was 40.48% in 2021 and has now come down to 28.7%. Five years ago, the party contested 191 seats, this time it was 172. The researcher adds that the party, which is still strong in many districts of the state, should use the present opportunity to re-establish itself as a major force.

Published – 12 Jun 2026 22:19 IST