Senior AIADMK leader S Semmalai resigns, cites 'immense mental anguish'

File photo: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (left) and S Semmalai

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 state. In his resignation letter addressed to AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, popularly known as EPS, Semmalai said the developments in the party after the elections had caused him “immense mental anguish”.

“The series of events taking place in the AIADMK after the elections has caused me immense mental anguish. Lakhs of party workers, who have been striving for this movement from the day it was founded, are also in the same state of mind,” he wrote. He added that neither past nor ongoing incidents within the party were satisfactory and instead were “only causing concern”.

Announcing his exit from the party, Semmalai told reporters, "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."

Questions party’s current direction

Semmalai invoked the legacy of former Tamil Nadu chief ministers M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa while questioning the current state of the party. “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 wrote.

The veteran leader also claimed that reports of infighting had damaged the AIADMK’s image, saying even English newspapers had mocked the party over its internal disputes. Semmalai said the party’s condition had deteriorated to the point where media reports openly ridiculed internal conflicts.

‘I was blocked after Jayalalithaa’s death’

Reflecting on his political career, Semmalai said both MGR and Jayalalithaa had given him opportunities and recognition in public life. “Both the revolutionary leader(MGR) and Amma (Jayalalithaa) gave me numerous opportunities and also earned me a stable recognition in politics,” he wrote.

He further alleged that he was sidelined after Jayalalithaa’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. Even then, I did not worry about it. Without expressing my disappointment, I remained disciplined under the party leadership and continued to work,” the letter stated. Semmalai said, “I was blocked. However, I continued to work obediently without expressing my feelings.”

Ends long political association

Stating that the present circumstances no longer allowed him to continue in the movement, Semmalai 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 pained,” he wrote, adding that he was stepping down “with a heavy heart”.

Semmalai served as Tamil Nadu’s health and education minister between 2001 and 2004. He was first elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from Taramangalam as an Independent candidate in 1980 before joining the AIADMK at a young age. He was also known for opposing the distribution of freebies by political parties and advocating alternative measures to strengthen the state’s finances.

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