Velumani, Viswanathan seek return of Sasikala, Dhinakaran to AIADMK
Former AIADMK ministers SP Velumani and Natham Viswanathan have once again urged party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami to consider bringing VK Sasikala and TTV Dhinakaran back into the party fold.
In a letter to Palaniswami, the two leaders also called for the reinstatement of more than 400 functionaries who had been expelled. They sought the restoration of former executive and general council members removed after May 13, 2026, including their earlier organisational responsibilities.
Velumani and Viswanathan argued that a series of political decisions had contributed to the AIADMK’s electoral difficulties. They also alleged that important decisions were being made without sufficient consultation with senior party leaders.
Among the examples cited was the party’s refusal to include TTV Dhinakaran in its alliance during the 2019 Lok Sabha election despite a suggestion from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. They also pointed to the AIADMK’s decision to contest the 2021 Assembly election without allies such as the DMDK, its defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and the failure to reach an alliance arrangement with TVK for the 2026 Assembly election.
The two leaders further opposed any proposal for the AIADMK to align with the DMK and form a government after the 2026 polls, saying such a move would conflict with the party’s ideological position. According to them, the issue had deepened internal divisions, with 25 MLAs turning against the leadership.
With local body elections likely to be held within the coming six months, they asked Palaniswami to take measures to rebuild and strengthen the organisation.
Their appeal to bring Sasikala and Dhinakaran back, along with the demand to restore expelled leaders and functionaries, is being viewed as another effort by the Velumani camp to shape the AIADMK’s political direction.
The developments come after the EPS camp removed several party functionaries from organisational positions following the recent internal rebellion, as the leadership seeks to retain control over the party’s executive and general council.