AIADMK 55th foundation day: EPS calls for unity as party marks milestone

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami marked the party’s entry into its 55th year on Saturday by calling for complete unity to overcome political challenges, even as key dissident leaders stayed away from the foundation day event.

Palaniswami unfurled the AIADMK flag and offered floral tributes to party icons M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa at the headquarters in Royapettah, Chennai. Addressing party workers, he stated that the organisation remained unshakeable and pledged to defeat anti-democratic forces through democratic means.

"Today, to confront and defeat the new political challenges, democratic-defying forces, and anti-people governance standing before us through democratic means, I urge everyone to step into the field with absolute unity and steadfast determination," Palaniswami said in a statement.

The milestone celebrations highlighted internal divisions within the party following electoral defeats. Key senior figures boycotted the main event at the party headquarters, demanding an organisational review and the reinstatement of former leaders to rebuild the party’s standing.

Key leaders at AIADMK 55th foundation day

In Villupuram, C. Ve. Shanmugam called on the party leadership to hold talks to assess the causes of recent election defeats and rebuild momentum under the party’s Two Leaves symbol. Shanmugam stated he had no personal agenda and only wished to see the party return to power.

Tensions have simmered since the April 2026 Assembly elections. Dissident legislators, including Velumani, Shanmugam, P. Thangamani, and Natham Viswanathan, previously voted in favour of the C. Joseph Vijay-led TVK government during a floor test on 13 May. Velumani has urged the return of expelled figures such as O. Panneerselvam, V. K. Sasikala, and T. T. V. Dhinakaran. However, Palaniswami loyalists, including Agri Krishnamurthy, rejected the proposal, pointing out that Panneerselvam had contested on the rival DMK’s symbol.

Founded in 1972 by actor and former Chief Minister M. G. Ramachandran, the AIADMK completed 54 years of active politics as it stepped into its 55th year. Palaniswami reaffirmed that the party would continue following the principles laid down by MGR and Jayalalithaa to safeguard the state’s rights.