The internal conflict within the AIADMK is escalating, with a faction led by C Ve Shanmugam and S P Velumani actively seeking to challenge the authority of general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami. This group is exploring provisions in the party bylaws that require Palaniswami to convene a special general council meeting if requested by at least one-fifth of its members. The rebels are mobilizing support by gathering signatures from general council members across Tamil Nadu, aiming to address the party's poor performance in the recent assembly elections, where AIADMK secured only 47 seats, marking its worst result since 1996. They attribute this failure to Palaniswami's unilateral decision-making and are advocating for a generational shift in leadership to rejuvenate the party. There is also growing dissatisfaction among party members regarding Palaniswami's refusal to step aside for a consensus chief ministerial candidate during earlier discussions. As tensions rise, the faction continues to strategize at Shanmugam's office in Chennai.