Veteran AIADMK leader S Semmalai on Monday announced his resignation from the party, expressing deep disappointment over the escalating internal conflicts and the absence of opportunities after the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa.
In his resignation letter, Semmalai voiced concern over the party’s recent trajectory. “The developments that have taken place in the AIADMK after the elections have caused immense pain, a feeling shared by lakhs of loyal cadres devoted to this movement,” he said. “None of the incidents that have happened or are continuing to happen are satisfactory,” he added, questioning whether this was the fate of the movement founded by MGR and later strengthened by Jayalalithaa. He further remarked that the situation within the party had deteriorated to the extent that even media outlets were ridiculing the infighting.
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Claiming that he had been sidelined after Jayalalithaa’s demise, Semmalai said, “I was prevented from progressing. Despite that, I continued to work with discipline and loyalty without voicing my disappointment.” He added that the prevailing circumstances no longer allowed him to continue in the party.
Semmalai also recalled the opportunities provided to him by AIADMK founder MGR and Jayalalithaa, stating that both leaders had played a major role in helping him rise as a prominent figure in politics. “With a heavy heart, I have decided to step down from my position as well as from the party,” he said.
Semmalai served as Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Health and Education between 2001 and 2004. He was first elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from the Taramangalam constituency as an Independent candidate in 1980 before joining the AIADMK at a young age. Over the years, he became known as one of the few leaders who openly opposed the culture of freebies distributed by major political parties, instead advocating alternative policies aimed at improving the state’s financial stability.
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