CHENNAI: Signs of unrest within Dravidian majors after the recent Tamil Nadu assembly poll debacle intensified on Monday, even as DMK president MK Stalin and AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) assured cadres the two parties would bounce back. While AIADMK veteran S Semmalai quit after 45 years, former DMK minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan announced he was taking a short break from politics.
AIADMK Veteran Quits Over Leadership Style
Semmalai, who held multiple posts in AIADMK under MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, said he was leaving because of EPS's "dictatorial approach" that was shrinking the party's strength. The EPS camp dismissed his resignation as insignificant, indicating internal rifts within the party.
DMK Leader Takes Time Off
DMK's PTR said he would be travelling abroad for lectures and events he was unable to attend during his stint as minister. He would utilise the time to write a book as well. This move is seen as a temporary withdrawal from active politics, with no specific timeline for his return.
EPS Attacks Governing TVK
In a parallel move, EPS mounted a fresh attack on the governing TVK, accusing Chief Minister Vijay's party of indulging in horse trading and saying the new government "would not last long." This comes amid ongoing political tensions following the election results.
The developments highlight growing unease within both major Dravidian parties after their electoral setback, with leaders either stepping back or exiting entirely. The coming weeks are likely to see further realignments as parties regroup.
