The AIADMK has released an official statement stating that a total of 10,175 applications (requests for candidature) have been received. This has revealed the severe dissatisfaction among party cadres.
Traditionally, during the period when former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa led the AIADMK, the number of applications would range between 25,000 and 30,000. Of course, comparing Edappadi K. Palaniswami with the former Chief Minister may not be an appropriate understanding.
However, we spoke to AIADMK cadres to understand why the number of applications has reduced now compared to then. What we received were several shocking revelations.
In particular, cadres pointed out that no other parties were willing to join the alliance by trusting the AIADMK–BJP alliance. They also highlighted that despite public stage speeches filled with tall claims—such as actor Vijay’s new party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, taking initial steps to join the alliance and the promise of a massive party alliance—no positive developments actually took place.
In a major party like AIADMK, speeches by individual speakers may not be a big issue. However, cadres view it as a historic mistake that the party’s General Secretary himself spoke before cadres about a major alliance coming together and claimed that Vijay’s party cadres had taken the first step, without any tangible outcome.
On one hand, this has caused disappointment, and on the other hand, district secretaries and former ministers are seen to have excessive interference in the selection of candidates. It appears that Edappadi Palaniswami has been unable to control this situation.
Genuine AIADMK cadres express strong resentment, alleging that instead of selecting candidates with real chances of victory, former ministers are choosing their own loyalists and those who provide them with money.
More importantly, it is felt that the party leader, who is expected to accommodate and unite party members, has failed to bring everyone together. This has created a sense of distrust among the cadres.
Similarly, when issues arise in each constituency against the ruling party, AIADMK members—who are expected to lead protests—have remained subdued instead of taking the lead.
When there are so many problems within the party, AIADMK cadres are asking us in return how they are expected to submit applications at all. Answering this question has now become the responsibility of the AIADMK General Secretary, Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
If confusion continues in candidate selection within the AIADMK, the current ground situation indicates that the party will certainly face a crushing defeat in this election.
