The State-wide demonstrations called by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Friday saw scores of his camp followers taking part in the agitation and the ranks of rebels suffering a split.
Mr. Palaniswami addressed a rally in Thanjavur, along with his party colleagues deputy leader of the party in the Assembly O.S. Manian and former Food Minister R. Kamaraj, who was a member of the dissidents’ camp three months ago. The agitation was called to criticise the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led regime for not effecting a full waiver of cooperative crop loans taken by farmers; being “lax” on the Mekedatu dam issue; and on not securing the State’s share of Cauvery water, besides demanding the supply of 24-hour power supply to farmers.
Among the prominent rebels who broke ranks on the day was former Electricity Minister P. Thangamani, who participated in the protest in Salem and expressed hope that Mr. Palaniswami would soon become the Chief Minister again. Former Ministers P. Balakrishna Reddy and K.C. Veeramani were present at the protests in their designated places of Namakkal and Tirupattur respectively.
After 25 rebel MLAs of the AIADMK voted in favour of the TVK-led regime, which eventually won a vote of confidence in the Assembly on May 13, Mr. Palaniswami removed Mr. Thangamani, Mr. Reddy, Mr. Kamaraj, and Mr. Veeramani from their party position as district secretaries for Namakkal, Krishnagiri, Tiruvarur, and Tirupattur respectively.
Those who did not take part in the day’s agitation, despite being named to lead the programme, were deputy general secretary Natham R. Viswanathan, who was assigned Ramanathapuram; another deputy general secretary S.P. Velumani (Theni) and K.P. Anbalagan (Ranipet). Till the middle of May, the three also held the posts of district secretaries for Dindigul (east), Coimbatore (suburban-south), and Dharmapuri respectively.
Mr. Palaniswami urged the State government to ensure the supply of adequate water to farmers in the delta during the samba cultivation season. He explained how farmers had “suffered” for want of water during the current kuruvai season. Accusing the TVK-led government of failing to fulfil its electoral promises, he called upon the government to at least honour its commitment with regard to the full waiver of crop loans, as stated in its manifesto.

Published - August 15, 2026 12:36 am IST