States » SouthPosted at: Oct 17 2026 8:43PM


Disgruntled leaders skip AIADMK's 55th Founding day fete, SPVelumani backs EPS’s unity call, wants OPS back in party

Chennai, Oct 17 (UNI) The Opposition AIADMK, which has been beset with multiple problems, including successive poll losses and largescale defections to the ruling TVK, on Saturday celebrated its 55th Founding day in a grand manner, with key dissident leaders including party strongmen and former Ministers S.P.Velumani and C.Ve.Shanmugam boycotted it, fuelling intra-party differences further.
Though boycotting the fete, Velumani backed party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami's call for unity and demanded bringing back estranged leaders, including former Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam, now with the DMK, into the party to strengthen the organisation.
Velumani dismissed speculation that he might leave the party and join the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). “Why should I leave the AIADMK that gave me an identity in politics?” he asked, while expressing confidence that Palaniswami would unite the party and restore its former strength.
“Everyone should come together to strengthen the AIADMK. Even OPS should come back,” Velumani said, adding that he believed Palaniswami would lead the efforts to reunite the party.
Referring to the AIADMK’s defeat in the recent bypolls in Madurantakam and Dharapuram, considered as party's strongholds, Velumani called for strengthening the party at the grassroots and providing opportunities to cadres who had worked for its growth. He expressed confidence that the party would regain power, following the legacy of Party Founder and former Chief Ministers MGR and J.Jayalalithaa.
Velumani also clarified that he had no ambition to become the party’s general secretary and that Palaniswami would continue in the post and lead the party.
The dissident leaders, who had close door meetings after the bypoll rout, has been reiterating their demand to convene the GC meet to discuss the prevailing situation, while ensuring their continuance in the party with EPS at the helm.
However, EPS said the GC meet would be convened at an appropriate time. As per party bylaws, it should be convened once a year and it would generally be held in December.
(ED : PICK UP SUITABLY FROM MS 17).
UNI GV 2040
Tags: #Disgruntled leaders skip AIADMK's 55th Founding day fete# SPVelumani backs EPS’s unity call# wants OPS back in party
More News

Telangana Police Apprehend QNET Promoter Dig Vijay Singh at Delhi Airport in financial fraud

17 Oct 2026 | 8:47 PM

Hyderabad, Oct 17 (UNI) The Hyderabad Central Crime Station (CCS) police have apprehended Dig Vijay Singh, a partner and promoter of QNET, at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi while he was allegedly attempting to travel to Dubai, in connection with cases involving an alleged large-scale financial fraud linked to QNET and Vihaan Direct Selling (India) Pvt. Ltd, police said on Saturday.

see more..

AP: Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav calls on Dy CM Pawan Kalyan

17 Oct 2026 | 8:44 PM

Vijayawada, Oct 17 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday called on Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan in his camp office at Mangalagiri near here.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is here to participate in the Vijayawada SARAS Utsav 2.0 and worship goddess Durga at the Kanaka Durga temple atop the Indrakeeladri hill.

see more..

Disgruntled leaders skip AIADMK's 55th Founding day fete, SPVelumani backs EPS’s unity call, wants OPS back in party

17 Oct 2026 | 8:43 PM

Chennai, Oct 17 (UNI) The Opposition AIADMK, which has been beset with multiple problems, including successive poll losses and largescale defections to the ruling TVK, on Saturday celebrated its 55th Founding day in a grand manner, with key dissident leaders including party strongmen and former Ministers S.P.Velumani and C.Ve.Shanmugam boycotted it, fuelling intra-party differences further.

see more..

Telangana CM Greets Telangana Women on Saddula Bathukamma

17 Oct 2026 | 8:41 PM

Hyderabad, Oct 17 (UNI) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Saturday extended greetings to the people of the state, particularly women, on the occasion of Saddula Bathukamma, describing the festival as a reflection of Telangana’s rich cultural traditions and reverence for nature.

see more..

Seven Nominations Filed for GVMC Mayor’s Post, 265 for Ward Members on Second Day

17 Oct 2026 | 8:40 PM

Visakhapatnam, Oct 17 (UNI) A total of seven nominations for the Mayor’s post and 265 nominations for Ward Member positions were filed on Saturday, the second day of the nomination process for the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Second General Elections–2026.

see more..