On 18 October 2024, O Paneerselvam, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and ousted senior leader of the AIADMK, sharply criticized party General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami for his forgetfulness of past support and perceived betrayal. He urged party members to unite and work diligently in preparation for the 2026 state assembly elections to restore the party’s influence, warning that otherwise, all the efforts of previous leaders would be in vain.
This appeal comes as the AIADMK celebrates its 53rd anniversary on 17 October 2024. Founded by MG Ramachandran (MGR), the party has historically been a major force in Tamil Nadu politics, winning a majority in the state assembly seven times. However, since 2019, it has faced significant electoral setbacks, failing to win any recent elections and placing third in various regions during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, indicating a decline in popularity.
In this context, O. Paneerselvam, through his official X account, stated, “Let us all work together in the general assembly election of 2026 to fulfill the idea of the honorable revolutionary leader Amma, ‘Even after me, no matter how many centuries come, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam will work for the people’ and pledge to put the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in power.”
The statement read, “Speaking about betrayal and sacrifice is like Satan reading scriptures! All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, a great people’s movement that was started by revolutionary leader MGR to give golden rule to the people of Tamilnadu, formed the government under the leadership of revolutionary leader MGR for three consecutive terms. The revolutionary leader MGR achieved various milestones such as the Nutritious meal scheme, increased the reservation for the backward from 31 percent to 50 percent, created various universities including Tamil University in Thanjavur, introduced the free Dhothi and Saree scheme, and held the Fifth World Tamil Conference.”
“After the death of the revolutionary leader MGR, the revolutionary leader Amma took over as the general secretary of the organization and formed the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime in Tamil Nadu for four terms. They achieved success by implementing various welfare programs like Cradle Baby Scheme, All Women Police Station, Women Self Help Groups, Free Rice, Free Education. Hon’ble Amma is credited with making the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam the third largest party in the Lok Sabha.” the statement added
“After the demise of the honorable revolutionary leader Amma, as a result of treachery entering in, unrighteousness increased and treacherous acts became rampant and the party went to the bottom. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which was the third largest party in the parliamentary Lok Sabha, now appears empty due to its status as a party for all being undermined by the treacherous mob. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam met with a heavy defeat in the Lok Sabha elections which ended with loss of deposit in seven Lok Sabha constituencies, third place out of 12 constituencies, fourth place in Kanyakumari and fourth place in Puducherry Union Territory.” the statement accused.
“From this, it is clear that the people are not ready to trust the traitor who has backstabbed everyone: the person who recommended for the post of Chief Minister, the person who appointed him as the Chief Minister, and those who supported him to continue as the Chief Minister. Due to this treacherous act, the vote bank which was 45 percent during the regime of revolutionary leader Amma has reduced to 20 percent today. To speak of such a “betrayal” sacrifice seems Satan reading Scriptures.” the statement further said.
“If this situation continues, not only will the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam not be able to form a government for many years, but its vote percentage will decrease and the fruit of victory will become unattainable. Thinaiththunai Nandri Seyinum Panaiththunaiyaak Kolvar Payandheri Vaar’ That is, Thirukkural says that even if the help given to him is the size of a millet, the gentleman will consider it as the size of a palm. If the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam wants to rise, the divided people must unite. if the separated are to unite a able man must come to leadership.” the statement further said.
At this moment, I would like to point out the words of Valluvar “Ennandri Kondraarkkum Uyvuntaam Uyvillai
Seynnandri Kondra Makarku” Thiruvalluvar says whoever commits any sin has a way to escape from it but there is no other way to get rid of the sin of forgetting the help done. Hence, let us all work together in the general assembly election of 2026 to fulfill the idea of the honorable revolutionary leader Amma, ‘Even after me, no matter how many centuries come, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam will work for the people’ and pledge to put the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in power.” the statement further said.
“எனக்குப் பின்னாலும், இன்னும் எத்தனை நூற்றாண்டுகள் வந்தாலும், அனைத்திந்திய அண்ணா திராவிட முன்னேற்றக் கழகம் மக்களுக்காகவே இயங்கும்” என்ற மாண்புமிகு புரட்சித் தலைவி அம்மா அவர்களின் எண்ணத்தை நிறைவேற்றிட, 2026-ஆம் ஆண்டு சட்டமன்ற பொதுத் தேர்தலில் நாம் அனைவரும் ஒன்றிணைந்து களப்… pic.twitter.com/ZU1L2p2Laf
— O Panneerselvam (@OfficeOfOPS) October 18, 2024
On 17 October 2024, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party leader Pawan Kalyan also extended greeting on the 53nd anniversary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) expressing his admiration and support for the party. In a heartfelt message, he paid tribute to AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran (MGR), whom he praised as a “revolutionary leader” whose visionary policies significantly transformed Tamil Nadu, particularly for the disadvantaged.
Kalyan emphasized MGR’s commitment to enhancing the lives of ordinary people, noting how his leadership propelled Tamil Nadu to become one of India’s foremost states. He also recognized the contributions of MGR’s successor, Jayalalithaa, commending her as an exceptional leader whose efforts earned her the endearing title of “Amma.”
In his message, Kalyan extended his best wishes to Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), the current AIADMK leader, expressing hope that the party would continue to realize MGR’s vision for the state’s development and welfare. He also notably commended O. Panneerselvam (OPS) for his leadership as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, highlighting how he effectively guided the AIADMK government during and after the passing of Puratchi Thalaivi Selvi Jayalalithaa, genuinely continuing her legacy. Then highlighted the cultural ties between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, acknowledging Jayalalithaa’s respect and affection for the Telugu-speaking community.
On the 53rd anniversary of @AIADMKOfficial, I extend my sincere congratulations to the party leadership, members, and supporters. Founded on October 17, 1972, by the legendary “Puratchi Thalaivar” Thiru MG Ramachandran (MGR) Avl. #AIADMK rapidly became a formidable political… pic.twitter.com/YFXbXZcngz
— Pawan Kalyan (@PawanKalyan) October 17, 2024
Political Crisis in the AIADMK
After leaving the AIADMK in 2017, O. Panneerselvam and his supporters appealed to the Election Commission for action against party General Secretary V.K. Sasikala and Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami. Panneerselvam argued for the party’s iconic two-leaf symbol to contest in the RK Nagar election. In response, Palaniswami’s faction also lodged complaints, but the Election Commission dismissed both appeals, assigning different symbols to each faction.
In August 2017, the factions led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami and O. Panneerselvam came together, with Panneerselvam becoming Deputy Chief Minister and taking on the finance portfolio.
Leadership Struggle with Edappadi K Palaniswami
On 14 June 2022, amid ongoing electoral challenges, AIADMK district secretaries and senior members advocated for a shift away from the “dual leadership” system, calling for a single, strong leader to strengthen the party.
Supporters of Palaniswami initiated a political maneuver against Panneerselvam, who was losing influence within the party. Reports indicated that only about 10 of the AIADMK’s 75 district secretaries backed Panneerselvam, and among the 66 MLAs, only five were reportedly on his side. Less than 20% of the general council members supported him ahead of a pivotal meeting 23 on June 2022, aimed at establishing a unitary leadership.
On 30 June 2022, Palaniswami sent a letter to Panneerselvam, stating that the latter was no longer the party coordinator, as changes made to the party bylaws in December 2021 were not recognized in the 23 June general council meeting. On 11 July 2022, the AIADMK General Council formally abolished the dual leadership model and empowered Palaniswami as the party leader.
Expulsion from the AIADMK
On the same day, Panneerselvam was expelled from his roles as Party Treasurer and primary member due to alleged “anti-party” activities. Dindigul Sreenivasan succeeded him as Party Treasurer. On 17 August 2022, the Madras High Court ruled Panneerselvam’s expulsion and the General Council’s decisions as invalid. However, on 2 September 2022, a division bench of the High Court upheld the General Council’s actions from 11 July, effectively restoring unitary leadership.
The Supreme Court later dismissed Panneerselvam’s appeal against the Madras High Court ruling, which handed leadership to Palaniswami. On 23 February 2023, the Supreme Court affirmed the 11 July 2022 General Council decisions, reinforcing Palaniswami’s leadership. Subsequently, on 28 March 2023, the Madras High Court ruled in favor of Palaniswami and dismissed Panneerselvam’s challenges regarding the General Council resolutions. On that same day, AIADMK announced Palaniswami’s election as General Secretary, which the Election Commission recognized on 20 April 2023.
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