AIADMK faces fresh setback as ex-MP Venugopal quits amid growing internal issues

Chennai, May 24 (IANS) The AIADMK suffered another political setback on Sunday after former Lok Sabha member Dr P. Venugopal, a two-time MP from Tiruvallur constituency and one of the party’s senior Scheduled Caste leaders, announced his resignation from the party.  

His exit comes at a time when the party is grappling with internal dissent, repeated electoral setbacks, and an increasingly visible leadership crisis.

Dr Venugopal, who had been associated with the AIADMK for several years and held key responsibilities in the party’s medical wing since its inception, also served as the AIADMK Parliamentary Party leader in the Lok Sabha.

In a statement, he cited a series of political and social reasons behind the party’s declining fortunes.

He pointed to the steady erosion of support among Scheduled Caste communities following the death of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, describing it as one of the major reasons behind the party’s poor electoral performance in recent years.

According to him, rebuilding the party would require an inclusive political approach capable of accommodating all sections and communities within the organisation.

Dr Venugopal’s departure comes amid widening cracks within the AIADMK. In recent weeks, senior leaders, including former Minister S. Semmalai and former Speaker P. Dhanapal, had also walked out of the party, reflecting growing dissatisfaction among veteran functionaries.

He also took an apparent swipe at the leadership style of AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, suggesting that better political judgment was needed in key organisational and electoral decisions. He criticised decisions regarding candidate selection and said that senior leaders were once given opportunities in the Rajya Sabha during Jayalalithaa’s leadership, whereas the current approach had raised concerns among party cadres.

The resignation also comes against the backdrop of growing rebellion within the party following its recent electoral setbacks.

AIADMK has faced consecutive defeats in major elections and has struggled to regain the political dominance it once enjoyed under Jayalalithaa.

Internal divisions deepened further after sections of party leaders openly differed on strategic decisions and leadership direction.

With senior leaders exiting and factional tensions surfacing, the AIADMK now faces mounting pressure to address organisational challenges and rebuild its support base ahead of future political battles.