Former minister Semmalai resigns, cites internal conflict
New Delhi: Senior All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader S Semmalai resigned from the party on Monday, citing dissatisfaction over recent developments within the party and expressed concern over the current situation.The resignation letter was addressed to the AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K PalaniswamiKnown as EPS, Semmalai said the party’s development after the election had caused him “extreme mental anguish”.“The series of events taking place in the AIADMK after the elections has caused me great mental anguish. Millions of party workers, who have been struggling since the day of the movement’s inception, are also in the same mental state,” he wrote.He added that past or ongoing events within the party were not satisfactory and instead were “only cause for concern”.Announcing his exit from the party, Semlai told reporters, “I am very worried about the internal development of the party. The condition of the party is fragile. The current situation is not comfortable for me. So I have decided to leave the party.”
He questioned the current direction of the party
Semalai invoked the legacy of former Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa while questioning the current state of the party.“What is the fate of the movement created by the golden-hearted revolutionary leader MG Ramachandran and protected by the revolutionary leader Amma J Jayalalitha?” He wroteThe veteran leader also claimed that reports of infighting had damaged the AIADMK’s image, claiming that even English newspapers mocked the party for its internal strife.Semalai said the situation in the party had deteriorated to the point where media reports openly mocked internal conflicts.
‘I was blocked after Jayalalitha’s death’
Reflecting on his political career, Semmalai said both MGR and Jayalalithaa gave him opportunities and recognition in public life.“Both the revolutionary leader (MGR) and Amma (Jayalalitha) gave me numerous opportunities and gave me a stable recognition in politics,” he wrote.He also alleged that he was sidelined after Jayalalitha’s death but continued to work for the party in an orderly manner.“After the death of the revolutionary leader Amma, I was denied many opportunities and blocked by many. Even then, I did not think about it. Without expressing my disappointment, I remained disciplined in the leadership of the party and continued to work,” the letter said.“I was blocked. But I dutifully continued to work without expressing my feelings,” Semmalai said.
Ending a long political association
Stating that the current situation did not allow him to continue the movement, Semalai announced his resignation from both the party and the post he held.“My heart no longer allows me to continue my journey in this movement. My heart is deeply hurt,” he wrote, adding that he was resigning “with a heavy heart”.Semmalai served as the Health and Education Minister of Tamil Nadu between 2001 and 2004. He was first elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from Taramangalam in 1980 as an independent candidate before joining the AIADMK at a young age.He was also known for opposing free distribution by political parties and advocating alternative measures to strengthen state finances.
