The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has omitted key dissident leaders, including former Ministers S.P. Velumani, C.Ve. Shanmugam, and Natham R. Viswanathan, from its official campaign programmes for the upcoming by-elections in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram assembly constituencies. This move signals a deepening of internal rifts within the party as it prepares for crucial electoral contests.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the party’s list of star campaigners, which includes General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami and 12 other sitting legislators, has notably excluded these prominent figures. The exclusion has fueled speculation about the extent of factionalism within the AIADMK, which has been grappling with internal power struggles following recent electoral setbacks.
The AIADMK has fielded S. Kanitha Sampath in Madurantakam and K. Banumathi in Dharapuram for the by-elections, scheduled for October 6. Both constituencies were previously held by AIADMK legislators who resigned their seats to join the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The AIADMK is now making a concerted effort to reclaim these seats.
Edappadi K. Palaniswami is slated to campaign extensively in both constituencies, dedicating three days to each. His campaign in Madurantakam is scheduled for September 24, 25, and October 3, while his Dharapuram campaign will take place on September 27, 28, and October 2. The party has directed its functionaries to make elaborate arrangements for these crucial campaign programmes.
The exclusion of leaders like Velumani and Shanmugam from the star campaigners’ list is particularly significant, given their past involvement in internal party disputes. Earlier reports indicated that these leaders, along with others, had rejected new organizational posts assigned to them by Palaniswami, citing a breach of promises regarding their reinstatement to original positions. They had also blamed Palaniswami’s decisions for the party’s electoral defeats and the subsequent exodus of office-bearers and cadres.
The internal turmoil within the AIADMK has been a recurring theme. In May 2026, a significant revolt emerged, led by C. Ve. Shanmugam and backed by several newly elected MLAs, who accused Palaniswami of taking unilateral decisions. At that time, the dissident camp was reportedly exploring a post-poll alliance with the TVK, while Palaniswami was allegedly pursuing a tie-up with the DMK. The situation escalated with claims that the rebel faction was preparing to support the TVK during a vote of confidence, aiming to establish themselves as the “real AIADMK” in the assembly.
The ongoing by-elections have brought the issue of defections to the forefront. The TVK’s decision to nominate former AIADMK MLAs Maragatham Kumaravel and P. Sathyabama, who won the Madurantakam and Dharapuram seats on AIADMK tickets before resigning and joining the TVK, has made defections a central campaign issue. This practice has drawn scrutiny, with the Madras High Court observing that such resignations to recontest might be considered a “mockery of democracy.” The court questioned the practice of legislators resigning their posts only to recontest in by-elections as candidates of other parties, suggesting it could lead to a dent in the public exchequer due to the cost of conducting multiple by-elections.
Adding another layer to the electoral landscape, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has announced a neutral stance for the October 6 bypolls, opting not to support any party. This decision is seen as a setback for the AIADMK, which had been hoping for the PMK’s support, particularly in Madurantakam, where the PMK has a notable voter base. The AIADMK had previously won the Madurantakam seat with PMK’s alliance support.
The AIADMK’s campaign will also be impacted by the absence of certain key leaders, underscoring the challenges the party faces in consolidating its position. The exclusion of Velumani, Shanmugam, and P. Thangamani from the list of star campaigners has renewed attention on the organizational differences within the party as it contests against the ruling TVK.
The DMK has also stepped up its campaign efforts, with its candidates I. Paranthamen and S. Suganya already canvassing votes. Party president M.K. Stalin is expected to visit the constituencies soon, and senior DMK leaders have been appointed as election in-charges to oversee campaign operations.
As the campaign intensifies, the by-elections in Madurantakam and Dharapuram are shaping up to be a significant test for the AIADMK, both in terms of reclaiming lost ground and managing its internal political dynamics.
The Chenab Times News Desk