Step Down Now or Face Disrespect! OPS Demands Palaniswami’s Resignation as AIADMK Chief
OPS Demands Palaniswami’s Resignation as AIADMK Chief Amid Leadership Feud
Expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam (OPS) on Thursday fiercely rebutted party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami’s claim that he orchestrated an attack on the party headquarters in July 2022, demanding his rival step down from leadership or face “disrespect” for failing to secure electoral victories.
Speaking to reporters in Chennai, OPS accused Palaniswami of twisting facts and clarified that his push for unity was not about personal re-induction but about consolidating the fragmented AIADMK to ensure its triumph.
“Palaniswami’s supporters claimed single leadership would win all elections, yet he hasn’t delivered a single victory,” OPS asserted, pointing to the party’s losses since the 2021 Assembly polls. “It would be graceful if he resigns as general secretary; otherwise, he’ll face disrespect.”
He denied leading an assault on the headquarters, alleging instead that Palaniswami’s faction staged the chaos. “We were stopped a kilometer away, and eight party secretaries attacked our vehicle. They damaged the office and blamed us—police records prove this,” he claimed.
Earlier today, Palaniswami accused OPS of leading “rowdies” to vandalize the headquarters, justifying his expulsion and ruling out any reconciliation. The rift traces back to a post-2021 power struggle, culminating in OPS and his allies being ousted by the AIADMK’s General Council in July 2022, cementing Palaniswami’s control.
The fresh war of words underscores the deep fissures within the party, with OPS framing Palaniswami’s leadership as detrimental to its future, while the latter stands firm on his stance of no compromise with the expelled faction.
