AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami removed C.V. Shanmugam and other party members from their posts after they voted for Chief Minister Vijay today [1, 2].
This purge signals a deepening rift within the AIADMK as it struggles to maintain discipline against the rising influence of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government. The move highlights the volatility of party loyalty in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly following the recent trust vote.
EPS cited a violation of the party whip and the anti-defection law as the grounds for the removals [1, 2]. The affected members voted in favor of the TVK government led by Vijay, prompting the party leadership to take disciplinary action to prevent further fragmentation.
Reports on the scale of the expulsions vary. One source said that 26 AIADMK leaders, including 25 MLAs, were expelled [3]. Another report indicates that disqualification was sought for 24 MLAs under the anti-defection law [4].
C.V. Shanmugam, one of the high-profile leaders fired, commented on the state of the party. "AIADMK has been steadily declining," Shanmugam said [3].
The disciplinary actions have sparked internal debate regarding the legality of the party's process. An unnamed party official said, "The General Secretary cannot appoint a Whip directly. Newly elected MLAs should be called for the meeting" [1].
The conflict centers on the tension between the party's central leadership and members who chose to support the current administration in Chennai [4, 5]. By invoking the anti-defection law, EPS is attempting to consolidate power and penalize those who crossed party lines during the floor test.
“"AIADMK has been steadily declining."”
The expulsion of senior leaders like C.V. Shanmugam suggests a critical juncture for the AIADMK. By purging members who supported Chief Minister Vijay, the party is attempting to project strength and adherence to legislative discipline. However, the internal disagreement over how the party whip was appointed and the admission of a steady decline indicate that the party may face further instability as the TVK government gains traction.
