Fissures are widening in the AIADMK dissident camp

Former Law Minister C.Ve. Shanmugam. | Photo credit: SR RAGHUNATHAN

Former Food Minister R. Kamaraj.

Fissures in the AIADMK dissident camp deepened on Friday when former Law Minister C.Ve. Shanmugam stayed out of the official review meeting for his Villupuram district and former food minister R. Kamaraj made it to the event for Tiruvarur.

Mr. Shanmugam’s decision was in line with the stance of many of his colleagues such as Natham R. Viswanathan, P. Thangamani and SP Velumani. About 10 days ago, several other members of the camp, including Leema Rose Martin and G. Hari, attended review meetings for their respective districts of Tiruchi and Tiruvallur.

Many dissidents have so far not come to terms with the new posts offered by party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who has removed many of the rebels as district secretaries. They even shot off a letter to Mr. Palaniswami expressing their reluctance to accept new assignments. Earlier this week, many loyal to Mr. Shanmugam announced their resignation from the AIADMK in protest against the party’s disciplinary action against some district-level functionaries in Villupuram district.

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami presiding over a review and consultation meeting in Chennai on Friday. | Photo credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

Meanwhile, the AIADMK general secretary reviewed the party’s performance in Salem and Tiruvallur (South), besides Villupuram and Tiruvarur. Newly appointed Villupuram district secretary R. Pasupathy told reporters after attending the review session that the party has been “doing well” of late. He held Mr Shanmugam responsible for the defeat in the three assembly constituencies in the district.

In a statement, Mr. Palaniswami appealed to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to take steps to release seven boats belonging to the fishing community of Kasimedu, which were seized by Andhra Pradesh government officials recently.

He also called for efforts to protect Kasimedu fishermen from “further harassment” by the neighboring state government.

Published – 24 Jul 2026 22:53 IST