Chennai, 15 Sept

Former AIADMK interim general secretary VK Sasikala on Monday urged the unification of AIADMK factions ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, saying the party’s electoral prospects depended on it.

Speaking on former Chief Minister CN Annadurai’s birth anniversary, Sasikala said, “Everyone in the AIADMK wants the factions to unite before the 2026 elections. I also want it.” She acknowledged that merging factions is challenging and would take time, but stressed her work would focus on the party’s victory and fulfilling late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s vision.

AIADMK senior leader KA Sengottaiyan echoed her call, noting the importance of unity to realise the legacy of party founders MGR and Jayalalithaa and to strengthen the party for the 2026 poll.

Meanwhile, expelled leaders TTV Dhinakaran and O Panneerselvam ruled out immediate support for Palaniswami as the Chief Ministerial candidate but suggested that political alignments remain fluid. Palaniswami paid tribute to Annadurai, highlighting AIADMK’s 53-year legacy in policy, action, and principle.