AIADMK Leader K B S Raja, Cousin of EPS, Quits Party Ahead of Elections
Chennai: In a significant political development, K B S Raja, a senior leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and a cousin of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), announced his resignation from the party on Tuesday.
Raja, who served as the AIADMK’s deputy coordinator for the Krishnagiri district, cited personal reasons for his decision. In a letter addressed to the party’s interim general secretary, Palaniswami, he stated that he was leaving the party after 20 years of association. He did not specify immediate political plans but sources indicate he may join a rival party or launch his own political outfit.
The resignation comes at a crucial time as the AIADMK, which is currently the principal opposition party in Tamil Nadu, prepares for the upcoming local body elections and the 2026 assembly polls. The party has been facing internal challenges following its breakaway from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in 2023 and a series of defections over the past year.
K B S Raja has been a prominent face in the Krishnagiri region and was considered a loyalist of the EPS faction. His departure is seen as a setback for Palaniswami, who has been trying to consolidate his leadership within the party. In response, the AIADMK leadership downplayed the impact, stating that such exits do not affect the party’s cadre strength.
Political analysts note that Raja’s exit may embolden other disgruntled leaders within the AIADMK to reconsider their positions, especially with the party’s electoral performance in recent by-elections showing a decline in vote share.
The AIADMK, which ruled Tamil Nadu for over a decade until its defeat in 2021, has been struggling to regain its footing under Palaniswami’s leadership. The party faces a strong challenge from the ruling DMK and a resurgent BJP in the state.
Attempts to reach Raja for further comment were unsuccessful. The party’s official spokesperson stated that they would address any organizational matters internally.
