S.P. Velumani | From loyalist to rebel
S.P. Velumani, a former minister in Tamil Nadu, has shifted from being a loyal supporter of Edappadi K. Palaniswami to leading a revolt against him. Despite his past political successes, including key cabinet positions, Velumani's recent electoral performance has declined significantly. The internal conflict within the AIADMK party raises questions about Velumani's future in Tamil Nadu politics.
- ▪S.P. Velumani was a trusted lieutenant of Edappadi K. Palaniswami but has recently turned against him.
- ▪He has faced allegations of corruption and irregularities in contract awards since 2018.
- ▪Velumani's recent electoral victory was by a much smaller margin compared to previous elections.
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In India’s electoral politics, it is not uncommon for trusted lieutenants to turn against their mentors. A case in point is 57-year-old S.P. Velumani, Tamil Nadu’s former Local Administration Minister in the AIADMK government, who is now leading colleagues against the party’s general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami.In the formative years of Mr. Velumani’s career, the goodwill he reportedly enjoyed from V.K. Sasikala, the confidante of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, and Ravanan, a relative of Ms. Sasikala who oversaw party affairs in the western region, helped him secure a political breakthrough. When Jayalalithaa returned as Chief Minister in May 2011, he was inducted into the Cabinet. Also read | A history of rebellions within the AIADMKMr.
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