Former minister Semmalai resigns, citing internal conflict
New Delhi: Senior All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader S Semmalai on Monday resigned from the party citing dissatisfaction over recent developments within the party and expressing concern over its current situation.has addressed the AIADMK general secretary in his resignation letter Edappadi K PalaniswamiSemmalai, popularly known as EPS, said he was “extremely mentally pained” by the developments in the party after the elections.He wrote, “The series of events taking place in the AIADMK after the elections has caused me immense mental pain. Lakhs of party workers, who have been striving for this movement since the day of its inception, are also in a similar state of mind.”He said that neither past nor ongoing events within the party were satisfactory and were instead “only causing concern”.Announcing his exit from the party, Semmalai told reporters, “I am very concerned about the developments within the party. The party is in a delicate situation. The present situation is not comfortable for me. Therefore, I have decided to leave the party.”
Raises questions on the current direction of the party
Semmalai referred to the legacy of former Tamil Nadu chief ministers MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalitha while questioning the current state of the party.“Is this the fate of the movement created by the golden-hearted revolutionary leader MG Ramachandran and protected by the revolutionary leader Amma J Jayalalitha?” He has written.The veteran leader also claimed that reports of infighting have damaged the image of the AIADMK, with even English newspapers mocking the party over internal disputes.Semmalai said that the condition of the party has deteriorated to such an extent that internal conflicts are being openly ridiculed in media reports.
‘I was blocked after Jayalalitha’s death’
Reflecting on his political career, Semmalai said that both MGR and Jayalalitha had given him opportunities and recognition in public life.He wrote, “Both the revolutionary leader (MGR) and Amma (Jayalalitha) gave me many opportunities and also gave me a stable identity in politics.”He further alleged that he was sidelined after Jayalalitha’s death but continued to work for the party in a disciplined manner.“After the demise of revolutionary leader Amma, many opportunities were denied to me and many were blocked. Nevertheless, I did not worry about it. Without expressing my disappointment, I remained disciplined and continued working under the party leadership,” the letter said.Semmalai said, “I was blocked. However, I continued to work obediently without expressing my feelings.”
Ended long political association
Saying that current circumstances no longer allow him to continue in the movement, Semmalai announced his resignation from both the party and his post.He wrote, “My heart no longer allows me to continue my journey in this movement. My heart is very sad.” He wrote that he was stepping down “with a heavy heart.”Semmalai served as the Health and Education Minister of Tamil Nadu between 2001 and 2004. He was elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from Taramangalam in 1980 as an independent candidate before joining the AIADMK at an early age.He was also known for opposing free distribution by political parties and advocating alternative measures to strengthen state finances.