The AIADMK faction led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami has publicly criticized a rebel group headed by former Ministers C.Ve. Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani. This criticism follows allegations from the rebels that Palaniswami sought to form a government with the support of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). In a statement posted on their official social media, the Palaniswami group dismissed the rebels as individuals who failed to achieve electoral success in their own districts, branding their claims as 'a bundle of lies.' Shanmugam had previously announced that the party's legislators elected Velumani as their leader and decided to support the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government. The Palaniswami faction questioned the rebels' motives and their discussions with DMK leaders, emphasizing that the AIADMK-led alliance secured approximately 1.34 crore votes in the last Assembly election. They accused the rebels of abandoning loyal party volunteers and allies, asserting that the AIADMK movement is driven by its grassroots supporters rather than a few MLAs. The Palaniswami camp concluded that the decision of the party's cadres is paramount and reflects their commitment to the AIADMK's principles.