States » SouthPosted at: Oct 17 2026 3:08PM


On AIADMK's 55th Founding day, disgruntled SPVelumani backs EPS’s unity call, wants OPS back in party

Chennai, Oct 17 (UNI) In a show of unity, 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 party strongman and disgruntled former Minister S.P.Velumani taking part contrary to reports of boycotting it, and backed party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami's call for unity and demanding bringing back estranged leaders, including former Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam, now with the DMK, into the party to strengthen the organisation.
Speaking at the 55th foundation day event at the party office, 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.
Earlier, Palaniswami called on party cadres to remain united and overcome political challenges through democratic means. He acknowledged the party’s electoral setbacks and internal difficulties while urging workers to strengthen the organisation.
Palaniswami also criticised the ruling TVK government over governance, law and order, drug abuse and crimes against women and children. Separately, he blamed the government for alleged crop losses and drinking water shortages linked to the release of water from the Mettur dam, and raised concerns over rising prices of essential commodities.
However, other dissident leaders including former Minister C.Ve.Shanmugam and Natham R.Viswanathan seems to have skipped the party fete. The duo and Velumani were instrumental in mustering the support of 25 Rebel MLAs who voted in support of the confidence vote moved by Chief Minister Vijay in the Tamil Nadu Assembly in May.
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Tags: #On AIADMK's 55th Founding day# disgruntled SPVelumani backs EPS’s unity call# wants OPS back in party
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