The meeting lasted nearly two hours, with around 80 district secretaries in attendance, as noted by former minister BV Ramana. All members and supporters are firmly behind Palaniswami, and the party is strategizing to ensure success in the upcoming days.
“Over 80 district secretaries participated in the meeting. Some were unable to arrive at the party headquarters on time,” Ramana informed reporters after the meeting.
Senior leader VV Rajan Chellappa stated that the AIADMK has committed to working together under Palaniswami’s leadership with steadfast dedication. “We will unwaveringly support and cooperate to reinforce our general secretary,” Chellappa remarked on ‘X.’ Additionally, AIADMK Praesidium Chairman Tamilmagan Hussain reaffirmed his support for Palaniswami.
On May 18, the former chief minister reached out to dissenters, urging them not to act impulsively, and started gathering opinions from key party members at the headquarters.
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He had previously announced that the meeting was to take place at his residence on Greenways Road.
However, he arrived at the party headquarters with his followers.
Palaniswami replaced the secretaries of 26 districts, including 12 legislators who supported the TVK government during the floor test on May 13.
The breakaway faction, led by former state ministers such as C Ve Shanmugam, S P Velumani, and Dr C Vijayabaskar—who have lost their party positions—are preparing to call for a general council meeting to fully back the Vijay-led TVK government, a move Palaniswami firmly opposes.
Former state minister R B Udayakumar, backing Palaniswami, accused Shanmugam, Velumani, and Vijayabaskar of supporting the TVK government to gain ministerial positions in return, stating, “The ministerial role is a recognition bestowed by the party leadership based on our performance. That’s how I perceive it.”
Following the meeting, Palaniswami urged party members to unite for future victories. “Winning or losing an election is part of the process. We secured 47 seats (in the April 23 Assembly election). The people delivered an unexpected verdict, not favoring any one party with an absolute majority. Our leader has called for unity and confidence for AIADMK to return to power,” Udayakumar said.
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O S Manian, a senior leader, mentioned that the meeting did not address Vijayabaskar’s assertion regarding obtaining signatures from 1,000 party members to call for a general council meeting to discuss the election outcome and make a “wise decision.” When asked about future actions, Manian replied, “Our general secretary will decide.”
