Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay
Chennai: The Congress party has advised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay against including the rebel faction of the AIADMK in his government, stating that he must remain true to the public mandate.
Speaking to the media, Congress leader Karti Chidambaram remarked that the people voted for a government that excludes both the AIADMK and the DMK. He further added that if Vijay were to induct AIADMK legislators into his government, it would tarnish his reputation and credibility.
Vijay Does Not Need the Support of the Rebel AIADMK Faction: Karti Chidambaram
The Congress leader asserted that Chief Minister Vijay does not require the support of any rebel faction within the AIADMK. In reality, the public mandate calls for a government that includes neither the AIADMK nor the DMK; he should remain faithful to that mandate and disregard the rebel AIADMK faction. There is no justification for inducting them into the government.
Do Not Include Rebel AIADMK MLAs in the Government: Karti
Karti Chidambaram stated that while it is acceptable if they voluntarily extended their support during the vote of confidence, there is no rationale for bringing them into the government itself. In fact, he urged the Chief Minister not to include them in the administration. This development follows a floor test—conducted amidst internal party strife—during which 25 AIADMK legislators voted in favor of Vijay's government.
Political Turmoil Within the AIADMK
The political turmoil within the AIADMK intensified when Shanmugam publicly criticized EPS, accusing him of undermining the organization and steering the party toward a series of electoral defeats following the demise of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in 2016.
Defeat in Assembly Elections Must Be Discussed: Shanmugam
Shanmugam stated that the defeat suffered by the AIADMK in the recently concluded Assembly elections warrants discussion. He emphasized the need to deliberate upon and analyze the underlying reasons behind the party's consecutive electoral setbacks. Furthermore, he alleged that the party's core ideology has weakened under the current leadership and claimed that several senior leaders and office-bearers have been removed from their organizational posts.
Several Leaders, Including CV Shanmugam, Removed from Organizational Posts
The faction led by EPS initiated disciplinary action against leaders accused of violating the party whip during the recent floor test in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Consequently, several leaders—including C.V. Shanmugam and C. Vijayabaskar—were removed from their organizational positions.
Both Factions Demand Disqualification of Each Other's MLAs
Currently, Palaniswami enjoys the support of 22 MLAs, while the rebel faction—led by Velumani and Shanmugam—is backed by 25 AIADMK legislators. Citing the voting patterns observed during the floor test of the TVK government, both factions have demanded the disqualification of the opposing group's MLAs under the provisions of the Anti-Defection Law.
