AIADMK factions hold separate discussions amid internal rift

Chennai: As the internal rift continues within the AIADMK, party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami met the new district secretaries at his residence on Friday to discuss the future course of action.

The AIADMK chief had removed from party posts, senior leaders including S P Velumani, C Ve Shanmugam and C Vijayabaskar in the wake of the rift and cross-voting in the TVK government's confidence vote on Wednesday that the ruling party won comfortably.

At present Palaniswmi has the support of 22 MLAs while the rebel faction led by Velumani and Shanmugam is backed by 25 AIADMK legislators.

Velumani and Shanmugam also organised a meeting with the supporting MLAs here on Friday.

Sources said that during his meeting with supporters, Palaniswami expressed concern that the Assembly Speaker was yet to announce their elected leader of the legislature party, his deputy and whip.

The former Chief Minister also asked the party cadres, especially the new district secretaries, to stay united to counter the Shanmugam faction.

Meanwhile, sources from Velumani's group also said since the faction has the majority of MLAs, the team is working out to legally "secure" the AIADMK party.

Velumani along with Shanmugam is also expected to meet the Assembly speaker to further request to declare C Vijayabaskar as whip.