AIADMK factions call truce, withdraw disqualification pleas

Former minister S P Velumani, who led the rebel camp along with C Ve Shanmugam, met AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday at his Chennai residence along with several legislators and expressed support for his leadership. The leaders later met Assembly Speaker J C D Prabhakar and withdrew the disqualification pleas submitted by both factions under the anti-defection law.

The split had emerged after 25 AIADMK MLAs led by the Velumani-Shanmugam camp backed the TVK government during the May 13 floor test, while legislators aligned with Palaniswami opposed it. The development had triggered cross petitions seeking disqualification of MLAs from both sides.

Talking to reporters after meeting the Speaker, Velumani denied any split in the party and described the episode as a “difference of opinion”.