In a strategic move to regain the support of the Thevar community, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) has called for conferring the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, on freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar.

Speaking at a rally in Aathoor, Dindigul district—a Thevar stronghold—on September 7, 2025, EPS also urged the Union government to name Madurai Airport after Thevar, pledging that the AIADMK would relentlessly pursue these demands with the Centre.

The demands, though longstanding, come at a critical juncture as the AIADMK seeks to mend ties with the Thevar community, a key vote bank in southern Tamil Nadu, ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The party has faced challenges since the expulsion of prominent Thevar leaders O. Panneerselvam (OPS), V.K. Sasikala, and T.T.V. Dhinakaran following the death of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

Also Read: With AIADMK in Turmoil, EPS Gears Up For Fifth Phase of ‘Makkalai Kappom’ Campaign

These expulsions, coupled with EPS’s rise to power from the Gounder community, have alienated Thevar cadres, weakening AIADMK’s southern base in recent elections.

EPS highlighted Thevar’s legacy, noting his donation of vast properties to the needy, irrespective of caste, and his unopposed victories in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, positioning him as a national icon. Historically, the Thevar community strongly backed AIADMK under Jayalalithaa, who elevated OPS as interim Chief Minister twice and relied on Sasikala, reinforcing the community’s prominence.

However, EPS’s leadership and promotion of Gounder leaders have fueled discontent. The re-induction of OPS and Dhinakaran into the NDA after AIADMK’s brief 2023 split with the BJP, followed by their sidelining upon the alliance’s revival, has deepened the rift. Dhinakaran has hinted at rejoining the NDA only if AIADMK’s leadership changes, a claim EPS refutes, asserting his election by party MLAs. As OPS and Dhinakaran unite to reclaim influence, EPS’s push for Thevar’s recognition is a calculated effort to restore the community’s trust.

Also Read: Nirmala Sitharaman Slams DMK’s Dravidian Model as Separatist, Highlights Governance Failures