Palaniswami

This political realignment comes at a time when the TDP chief, Chandrababu Naidu, has been facing legal troubles. He was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on September 9 in connection with an alleged multi-crore skill development scam.

Speaking to reporters in Coimbatore, the minister said, "The government has granted permission to serve liquor only at international sports events like the IPL and at GIM, as prevailing in other states. This can't be permitted to be served at wedding events."

Palaniswami carefully built his image as a leader from a humble background, from a farming family and often appeared in a green turban used by farmers during election campaigns. He has also ensured that none from his immediate family were in party posts.

In a big win for E Palaniswami (EPS) faction, the SC affirmed the Madras HC division bench decision that restored EPS as AIADMK party’s single leader. Reacting to the verdict, he said, "Jayalalithaa said in the Assembly that this party will rule for 100 years. This has been confirmed by the judgment."

The Supreme Court rejected O Panneerselvam's (OPS) plea challenging Madras High Court division bench decision. Earlier, the Madras High Court division bench announced Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) as the AIADMK party’s single leader.

On Wednesday, the EPS faction staged a hunger strike as a reaction to being evicted from the Tamil Nadu assembly on Tuesday and due to the speaker not removing O Panneerselvam from the seat of deputy opposition leader.

The more powerful EPS faction has appointed a new deputy leader and has written several letters requesting that OPS not be seated next to EPS. Speaker M Appavu has stated that he is investigating the matter.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly session started on Monday (October 17) with EPS and 61 MLAs supporting his leadership boycotting the session. EPS boycotted after O Panneerselvam occupied the seat allotted for the deputy leader of the Opposition next to the Opposition leader.

The AIADMK's highest decision-making body, the general council, 'expelled' rival leader O Panneerselvam and some of his associates from the party amid his leadership dispute with Palaniswami, who was elected as the party's interim general secretary by GC members.
 

On July 13, the death of a Class 12 student at Kaniyamoor Sakthi Matriculation School in Kaniyamoor was reported. The girl was subsequently transported to the hospital and pronounced dead. Following that, a letter was discovered in her hostel room in which she claimed harassment and identified two professors who "tortured" her, culminating to her death.

The meeting's 2500-plus member General Council is anticipated to promote EPS as the party's temporary general secretary, thereby ending the current dual leadership paradigm. The meeting is also expected to result in the removal of OPS's role as Treasurer.

The AIADMK has been embroiled in significant intra-party debate over the subject of single-leadership since last month, and Palaniswami has the support of an overwhelming majority, while Panneerselvam has been marginalised in the party. 

As EPS was presented with a decorated crown, sword, and sceptre by supporters amid cheers, OPS and his supporters, including Deputy Secretary R Vaithilingam, exited the hall and left the premises.

A special team of the Tamil Nadu Police is questioning late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's aide Sasikala in the Kodanadu dacoity-murder case. 

After the leaked audio of VK Sasikala with some of the AIADMK cadres promising her return to 'resurrect' the party, former Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palaniswami said that the expelled leader Sasikala is doing all this only for media hype. He says conversing with 10 people will not impact over 1 crore cadres.