Two AIADMK MLAs skip Palaniswami’s meet prompting exit buzz

Chennai, Jul 7 (PTI) Former state minister K C Veeramani and Arcot MLA S M Sukumar skipped the party’s consultative meeting chaired by AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami here on Tuesday, triggering speculation of a renewed crisis in the party, which is already facing high-profile exits. Their conspicuous absence signalled possible internal dissent. Stating that his absence from the meeting was “strictly a party internal affair”, the Arcot MLA said it should not be misinterpreted. “I would rather go to the graveyard than join a different party,” Sukumar later told reporters, explaining that he had been identified and supported by the party general secretary in winning the Arcot seat. He said he would remain fully committed to the party’s leadership and would not back down from his stance. Asked to explain his absence, the legislator compared his political role to that of a journalist and remarked, “If you are a reporter, would you agree to just leave your position and go somewhere else?” He stressed that his commitment to the AIADMK was firm and not something he would abandon. He rejected the idea of joining another party as “hundred per cent incorrect”. Veeramani, who remained unreachable, had previously sent a jointly signed letter, along with former state minister S P Velumani and some former party office-bearers, to Palaniswami, expressing dissatisfaction with their reallocated roles and seeking reinstatement to their previous district secretary posts. Former state ministers Dr C Vijayabaskar and M R Vijayabaskar, along with other members such as Maragatham Kumaravel, S Jayakumar, P Sathyabama and Esakki Subaya, have already resigned as MLAs and joined the ruling TVK. Veeramani, MLA from the Jolarpet Assembly constituency, and Sukumar were among the 25 rebel MLAs who defied the party diktat and voted in favour of the TVK government during the floor test in the Assembly on May 13. The cross-voting by these members enabled the ruling party to secure 144 votes in favour in the 234-member Assembly, well above the simple majority mark of 118. Both Veeramani and Sukumar were stripped of their district secretary posts, along with a few others, following the cross-voting, and were later given other less significant roles in the party after the rebel MLAs — except C Ve Shanmugam — reconciled with Palaniswami and agreed to function under his leadership. At the consultative meeting of office-bearers from Ranipet and Tirupattur districts, Palaniswami reportedly said the present TVK government was unlikely to complete its full term in office. He called upon party members to gear up for the upcoming local body elections and strive for victory. A comfortable win in the civic polls was crucial for the party’s return to power in the state, a senior leader quoted him as saying. Tuesday’s meeting was part of an ongoing series of consultations Palaniswami is holding with district functionaries to analyse the recent Assembly election results and work out a strategy for future polls. PTI JSP SSK