In a bid to address the internal strife within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), S P Velumani, a prominent legislator, has indicated that dissident leaders are willing to engage in discussions with the party's general secretary, Edappadi K Palaniswami. Velumani's remarks came as tensions escalated after 25 MLAs supported a rival faction during a recent floor test, defying Palaniswami's directives. He acknowledged Palaniswami's extensive campaigning efforts but criticized him for making unilateral decisions regarding alliances and election strategies without consulting senior members. Velumani highlighted the need for collective reflection on the reasons behind the party's electoral defeat and called for a unified approach to determine the future direction of AIADMK. He expressed that the party leadership's failure to communicate with its members post-defeat has exacerbated divisions. Velumani's statements are seen as reflecting the sentiments of a significant portion of AIADMK's MLAs and functionaries, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and engagement to respect the voters' mandate and restore unity within the party.