Senior All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader S Semmalai announced his resignation from the party on Monday, citing dissatisfaction with recent developments and concerns about its current state. In a letter addressed to AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, commonly known as EPS, Semmalai expressed that the situation within the party post-elections had caused him “immense mental anguish.”
He conveyed that many party workers, who have dedicated themselves to the movement since its inception, share his sentiments. “The series of events taking place in the AIADMK after the elections has caused me immense mental anguish,” he wrote, adding that neither past nor current situations within the party were satisfactory, and were instead a source of concern.
In his resignation announcement to reporters, Semmalai stated, “I am much worried about the developments within the party. The party is in a fragile condition. The present situation is not comfortable for me. So, I have decided to quit the party.”
Reflecting on the party’s direction, Semmalai invoked the legacies of former Tamil Nadu chief ministers M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, questioning the party’s current status. “Is this the fate of the movement created by the Golden-Hearted revolutionary leader M G Ramachandran and protected by the Revolutionary Leader Amma J Jayalalithaa?” he pondered.
He claimed that reports of internal conflicts had tarnished the AIADMK’s reputation, mentioning that even English-language newspapers had lampooned the party due to its disputes. Semmalai noted that media reports had begun blatantly mocking the party’s internal struggles.
Discussing his political history, Semmalai remarked that both MGR and Jayalalithaa had provided him with opportunities and recognition. However, he alleged that he had been sidelined following Jayalalithaa’s death, stating, “After the demise of revolutionary leader Amma, many opportunities were denied to me and many were blocked. Even then, I did not worry about it. Without expressing my disappointment, I remained disciplined under the party leadership and continued to work.”
Semmalai expressed, “I was blocked. However, I continued to work obediently without expressing my feelings.”
He declared that the current circumstances no longer permitted him to continue his involvement in the movement, stating, “My heart no longer allows me to continue my journey in this movement. My heart is deeply pained.”
With this resignation, Semmalai ended a long political association with the party. He previously served as Tamil Nadu’s health and education minister between 2001 and 2004 and was first elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from Taramangalam as an Independent candidate in 1980 before aligning with the AIADMK. He is also recognized for opposing political parties’ distribution of freebies and advocating alternative measures for boosting the state’s finances.
