Senior All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader S Semmalai resigned from the party on Monday, expressing deep dissatisfaction with recent developments and concern over the party's current state. In his resignation letter addressed to AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), Semmalai said the post-election developments caused him immense mental anguish.
Resignation Letter Highlights
Semmalai wrote, "The series of events taking place in the AIADMK after the elections has caused me immense mental anguish. Lakhs of party workers, who have been striving for this movement from the day it was founded, are also in the same state of mind." He added that neither past nor ongoing incidents within the party were satisfactory and instead were only causing concern.
Announcing his exit, Semmalai told reporters, "I am much worried about the developments within the party. The party is in a fragile condition. The present situation is not comfortable for me. So, I have decided to quit the party."
Questions Party's Current Direction
Invoking the legacy of former Tamil Nadu chief ministers M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, Semmalai questioned the party's current state: "Is this the fate of the movement created by the Golden-Hearted revolutionary leader M G Ramachandran and protected by the Revolutionary Leader Amma J Jayalalithaa?" He claimed reports of infighting had damaged the AIADMK's image, with even English newspapers mocking the party over internal disputes.
'I Was Blocked After Jayalalithaa's Death'
Reflecting on his political career, Semmalai noted that both MGR and Jayalalithaa gave him opportunities and recognition. However, he alleged that after Jayalalithaa's death, many opportunities were denied to him. "After the demise of revolutionary leader Amma, many opportunities were denied to me and many were blocked. Even then, I did not worry about it. Without expressing my disappointment, I remained disciplined under the party leadership and continued to work," he wrote.
Ends Long Political Association
Stating that his heart no longer allowed him to continue in the movement, Semmalai resigned from both the party and his post. "My heart no longer allows me to continue my journey in this movement. My heart is deeply pained," he wrote, adding that he stepped down with a heavy heart. Semmalai served as Tamil Nadu's health and education minister between 2001 and 2004. He was first elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from Taramangalam as an Independent candidate in 1980 before joining the AIADMK at a young age. He was also known for opposing the distribution of freebies by political parties and advocating alternative measures to strengthen the state's finances.
