AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) on Saturday hoisted the party flag and paid floral tributes to party founder M.G. Ramachandran and J.Jayalalithaa, marking the 55th anniversary of the party. Scores of leaders and party cadres gathered at the party headquarters at Royapettah to celebrate the 55th anniversary while the dissident MLAs boycotted the event.
The founder’s day, which is usually celebrated like a festival in Chennai by the AIADMK supporters, was overshadowed by electoral setbacks, internal rebellion and an uncomfortable question as to how the party would reinvent itself. “No one can shake our party. We will rise like the phoenix and capture power in the state regardless of the numerous challenges,” EPS said while speaking at the event after hoisting the party flag and distributing sweets. AIADMK heavyweights S.P. Velumani, C.Ve. Shanmugham, Natham R. Viswanathan, P. Thangamani and many other legislators who are reportedly rebelling against EPS were missing from the celebrations at the headquarters.
Founded by M.G. Ramachandran in 1972 after his split from the DMK, the AIADMK built its identity around charismatic leadership, welfare politics and an enduring connect with voters. MGR and his successor, J. Jayalalithaa, turned the party into one of Tamil Nadu’s most formidable political forces and was in power for over 31 years. But after losing power in 2021, the party is struggling to translate the MGR and Jayalalithaa legacy into electoral relevance.
The defeat in the 2026 Assembly elections and the recent by-election losses in Madurantakam and Dharapuram have intensified the soul-searching within the party leaders. Both constituencies were won by former AIADMK legislators who contested under the TVK banner, underlining the party's vulnerability to defections, Vijay’s growing appeal and the lust for power within the AIADMK circles.
The rebellion within
Former minister C. Ve. Shanmugam has emerged as a prominent voice demanding introspection for the electoral defeat. He has called for a general council meeting to discuss the defeats and the party’s future. His voice has turned significant among the party cadres as he questions not merely the party’s strategy but also EPS’s leadership. Meanwhile, EPS has responded by asserting organisational discipline and taking action against dissidents and their supporters. He took action against Shanmugam, removed him from the party post and Shanumgam’s supporters are also facing disciplinary action. In Villupuram, Shanmugam urged the leadership to hold talks to ascertain the reasons for the party’s defeat in the elections. He also urged the leadership to work out a strategy to return to power.
Velumani’s balancing act
Former minister S.P. Velumani in a press conference revealed the complexity of the crisis within the party. While publicly expressing confidence in EPS, he has called for reconciliation and urged the leadership to bring back estranged leaders, including O. Panneerselvam, V.K. Sasikala and T.T.V. Dhinakaran. He has also rejected speculation that he intends to join the TVK. But his message was more like a warning wrapped in loyalty, only to make it clear to the leadership that the party cannot afford to keep losing leaders, allies and electoral ground. His call for unity was only an implicit acknowledgement that the existing approach by EPS has failed to deliver the desired results.
What next for EPS?
Though EPS has been putting up a brave face, he is facing severe dissent within the party. On one side. the rebellion within the party is growing multifold. On the other, with TVK emerging as the destination for the disgruntled AIADMK leaders, the defections have also increased over the days. EPS is firm on his stance that he will not accommodate the dissidents as it would only weaken his authority and would lead to a deep crisis. He is also not ready to give back their party posts to those who rebelled in the recent days as it would again challenge his leadership.
AIADMK is looking at a bleak future. The party’s biggest challenge is no longer its rivals alone. It is the battle within. The real test for EPS is not whether he can keep control of the party headquarters. It is whether he can hold the party together, rebuild its alliances and convince voters that the AIADMK remains a viable alternative.
At 55, the AIADMK may be celebrating its history while confronting an uncertain future. MGR's legacy and Jayalalithaa’s memory can rally cadres, but nostalgia cannot substitute for political strategy.
