Edappadi K. Palaniswami

Palaniswami was born on 12 May 1954 to Karuppa Gounder and Thavasiyammal at Siluvampalayam, Salem district, Madras State (now Tamil Nadu).{{cite web|title=Profile, Palaniswami|url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/members/profile/086.htm|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170217222740/http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/members/profile/086.htm|archive-date= 17 February 2017|publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu|access-date=1 December 2023}} After completing school, he completed B.Sc. from Sri Vasavi College.{{cite web|url=https://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/archive/15thassembly/honcm.html|title=Honorable Chief Minister, 15th assembly|publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu|access-date=1 December 2023}} His parents were involved in agriculture and Palaniswami also chose to get involved in the same.{{cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/LHz7tFFOYAE8wVXXJ6QqGP/Who-is-Edappadi-K-Palanisamy.html|title=Who is Edappadi K. Palaniswami?|first=Dharani|last=Thangavelu|date=15 February 2017|work=Mint|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313040846/http://www.livemint.com/Politics/LHz7tFFOYAE8wVXXJ6QqGP/Who-is-Edappadi-K-Palanisamy.html|archive-date=13 March 2017}}{{cite news|last=Mariappan|first=Julie|date=13 October 2020|title=Edappadi K Palaniswami Mother: Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami's mother Dhavusayammal dies aged 93|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tamil-nadu-chief-minister-edappadi-k-palaniswamis-mother-thavasi-ammal-dies-aged-93/articleshow/78631060.cms|access-date=31 January 2021|newspaper=The Times of India}} He has two siblings, a brother Govindraj and a sister Ranjitham. He is married to Ratha and they have a son.{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/from-jaggery-farmer-to-tamil-nadu-cm-eps-is-no-pushover/articleshow/82364519.cms|title=From jaggery farmer to Tamil Nadu CM, Edappadi K Palaniswami|newspaper=The Times of India|first=Jaya|last=Menon|date=3 May 2021|access-date=4 May 2021}}

Palaniswami entered politics in 1974 enrolling himself as a volunteer in All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). He was first elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 1989, representing Edappadi constituency, and won the re-election in 1991 from the same constituency.{{cite report|title=1989 Tamil Nadu Election Results|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=1 December 2023|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1989/StatisticalReportTamilNadu89.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006153620/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1989/StatisticalReportTamilNadu89.pdf|archive-date=6 October 2010}}{{cite report|title=1991 Tamil Nadu Election Results|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=1 December 2023|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1991/StatisticalReport-Tamil%20Nadu91.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213100040/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_1991/StatisticalReport-Tamil%20Nadu91.pdf|archive-date=13 December 2016}} He lost from the same constituency in the 1996 assembly elections.{{cite report|title=1996 Election report|url=https://www.eci.gov.in/files/file/3336-tamil-nadu-1996/?do=download|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=1 December 2023}} In the 1998 general election, he was elected Member of Parliament, representing Tiruchengodu constituency in the 12th Lok Sabha.{{cite report|title=1998 General Election Results|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=1 December 2023|url=https://www.eci.gov.in/uploads/monthly_2018_08/983976633_1998(VolI)_pdf.0968d45ba4c6b7f60d749fd1a1fc29e5}} He subsequently lost the 1999 and 2004 general elections from the same constituency. He contested from Edappadi again in the 2006 assembly elections and lost.{{cite report|title=2006 Election report|url=https://www.eci.gov.in/files/file/3339-tamil-nadu-2006/?do=download|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=1 December 2023}} He was appointed propaganda secretary of AIADMK in July 2006, replacing O. S. Manian and later as organising secretary in August 2007.{{cite news|title=Edapadi Palanisami is the opposition leader|language=ta|url=https://www.puthiyathalaimurai.com/newsview/102086/Edapadi-palanisami-is-the-opposition-leader|access-date=10 May 2021|work=Puthiya Thalaimurai|date=10 May 2021}}

He was re-elected from Edappadi constituency in the 2011 assembly election.{{cite report|title=2011 Election report|url=https://www.eci.gov.in/files/file/3340-tamil-nadu-2011/?do=download|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=1 December 2023}} He was appointed as the minister of highways and minor ports in the Jayalalithaa cabinet.{{cite web|title=Council of Ministers, Government of Tamil Nadu|url=http://www.tn.gov.in/gov_ministers.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825063610/http://www.tn.gov.in/gov_ministers.html|archive-date=25 August 2011|publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu|access-date=1 August 2011}} He served as the district secretary of AIADMK for Salem suburban district from June 2011 to April 2022.{{cite news|title=Jaya shuffles party posts of functionaries|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/jaya-shuffles-party-posts-of-functionaries-380427.html|access-date=30 June 2011|work=News18|date=30 June 2011}}{{cite news|title=AIADMK organisational polls throw up no surprise|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/aiadmk-organisational-polls-throw-up-no-surprise/article65360960.ece|access-date=27 April 2022|newspaper=The Hindu|date=27 April 2022}} In 2014, he was appointed as the member of the disciplinary committee of AIADMK.{{cite news|title=tamil-nadu-labour-minister-kp-munusamy-sacked-from-cabinet-two-key-party-posts|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/tamil-nadu-labour-minister-kp-munusamy-sacked-from-cabinet-two-key-party-posts/articleshow/35394968.cms|access-date=20 May 2014|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=20 May 2014}} He was again re-elected from the same constituency in the 2016 assembly election.{{cite report|title=2016 Election report|url=https://www.eci.gov.in/files/file/3473-tamil-nadu-general-legislative-election-2016/?do=download|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=1 December 2023}} After 2016 assembly elections, he also served as the ministry of public works in the cabinet.{{cite web|title=2016 TN Assembly Election – Candidate Affidavit|url=http://docs2.myneta.info/affidavits/ews3tamilnadu2016/1577/PALANISWAMI%20K.PDF|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301010436/http://docs2.myneta.info/affidavits/ews3tamilnadu2016/1577/PALANISWAMI%20K.PDF|archive-date=1 March 2017|access-date=28 February 2017|publisher=myneta.info}} In 2016, he was appointed headquarters secretary of AIADMK, succeeding P. Palaniappan.{{cite news|title=Jaya restructures AIADMK apex team|url=https://www.business-standard.com/amp/article/pti-stories/jaya-restructures-aiadmk-apex-team-116060800725_1.html|access-date=8 June 2016|work=Business Standard|date=8 June 2016}}

{{see also|Palaniswami ministry}}

File:Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K. Palaniswami at the Finals of 68th National Basketball Championship 1.jpg

Palaniswami became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in February 2017, following the resignation of O. Panneerselvam, who was the chief minister in the interim after the demise of former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa in December 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/From-farmer-to-CM-pick-%E2%80%94-the-rise-of-a-Jaya-loyalist/article17300830.ece|title=From farmer to CM pick — the rise of a Jaya loyalist|first=Syed Muthahar|last=Saqaf|date=14 February 2017|access-date=1 December 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215215141/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/From-farmer-to-CM-pick-%E2%80%94-the-rise-of-a-Jaya-loyalist/article17300830.ece|archive-date=15 February 2017|newspaper=The Hindu}} He was sworn in on 16 February 2017 along with a 32-member cabinet and also held charge of home, prohibition and excise.{{cite news|url=https://www.india.com/news/india/e-palanisamy-takes-oath-as-chief-minister-full-list-of-tamil-nadu-cabinet-ministers-and-their-portfolios-1845056/|title=Palanisamy takes oath as Chief Minister: Full list of Tamil Nadu Cabinet ministers and their portfolios|date=16 February 2016|access-date=1 December 2023|work=India.com}}

In March 2017, he introduced the Kudimaramaththu scheme for restoring minor irrigation tanks and lakes in the state.{{cite news|date=14 March 2017|title=Kudimaramathu is back in state|newspaper=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/kudimaramathu-is-back-in-state/article17460578.ece|access-date=14 March 2017}}

In May 2018, police opened fire on protests against a copper plant owned by Vedanta that was allegedly polluting groundwater in Thoothukudi, killing 13 people.{{cite news|last1=Safi|first1=Michael|last2=Karthikeyan|first2=Divya|date=28 May 2018|title=Indian copper plant shut down days after deadly protests|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/28/india-copper-plant-sterlite-vedanta-shut-down-deadly-protests|work=The Guardian|access-date=12 May 2022}} While the act was later termed as "self-defence" by a one-man commission, the Government of Tamil Nadu ordered the permanent closure of the plant on 28 May 2018.{{cite news|title=Sterlite violence: 492 people questioned over 20 phases by Aruna Jagadeesan commission|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2020/may/22/sterlite-violence-492-people-questioned-over-20-phases-by-aruna-jagadeesan-commission-2146576.html|newspaper=The New Indian Express|date=22 May 2020|access-date=1 December 2023}}{{cite news|last1=Rohit|first1=T. k|title=Sterlite Copper to be permanently closed, says Tamil Nadu government|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/sterlite-copper-to-be-permanently-closed-says-tamil-nadu-government/article61831761.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|date=28 May 2018|access-date=1 December 2023}}{{cite news|last=Thangavelu|first=Dharani|date=28 May 2018|title=Tamil Nadu govt orders permanent shutdown of Sterlite copper plant in Thoothukudi|url=https://www.livemint.com/Industry/C1OMNDlJC0y1EVj1P5xlTI/Sterlite-protests-Panneerselvam-vows-to-shut-down-Thoothuku.html|work=Mint|access-date=12 May 2022}}

On 15 August 2018, Palaniswami announced a 2% sub-quota in select government jobs and State Public Sector Undertakings for national, state, and international-level medal-winning sportspersons in games organised by recognised federations, later increasing it to 3% on 16 October 2018.{{cite news|title=Sportspersons to get 2% sub-quota in govt. jobs|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/sportspersons-to-get-2sub-quota-in-govt-jobs/article24699028.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|date=15 August 2018|access-date=16 August 2018}}{{cite news|title=State increases sub-quota for sportspersons in government jobs|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/state-increases-sub-quota-for-sportspersons-in-government-jobs/article25242769.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|date=16 October 2018|access-date=17 October 2018}} His administration was lauded for its preparedness and efforts to tackle the Cyclone Gaja that hit Tamil Nadu in November 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/dmk-lauds-tn-govt-for-work-on-tackling-cyclone-gaja/article25516743.ece|title=Opposition lauds govt.'s cyclone preparedness|date=17 November 2018|access-date=16 October 2024|newspaper=The Hindu}} In August 2019, Palaniswami introduced dedicated patrol vehicles (Amma patrol) to ascertain the security of women and children in public places.{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/tamil-nadu-rolls-out-amma-patrol-vehicles-to-check-crimes-against-women-kids-5938865/|title=Tamil Nadu rolls out Amma Patrol vehicles to check crimes against women, kids|date=27 August 2019|access-date=1 December 2023|newspaper=Indian Express}}

In the 2019 Indian general election, AIADMK under the leadership of Palaniswami, contested in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party and won only a single seat.{{cite news|last1=Ramakrishnan|first1=T.|last2=Kumar|first2=D. Suresh|date=12 January 2021|title=People's reception gives us confidence that we will win a majority, says Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Palaniswami|url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/tamil-nadu-assembly/peoples-reception-gives-us-confidence-that-we-will-win-with-a-majority-says-tn-cm-palaniswami/article33561342.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=31 January 2021|issn=0971-751X}}{{cite report|date=11 October 2019|title=18. Partywise Seat Won Valid Votes Polled in Each State|url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/10959-18-partywise-seat-won-valid-votes-polled-in-each-state/|work=Election Commission of India|access-date=21 December 2021}} In 2019, Palaniswami launched the Yaadhum Oore programme aimed at garnering foreign investment in the state. He visited United States, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates to promote the same.{{cite news|title=After tapping silicon valley, TN eyes Tamil diaspora in 38 countries|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2020/oct/27/after-tapping-silicon-valley-tn-eyes-tamil-diaspora-in-38-countries-2215428.html|access-date=31 January 2021|newspaper=The New Indian Express|date=27 October 2020}} In February 2020, the Government of Tamil Nadu declared the Kaveri delta region as a protected special agriculture zone.{{cite news|title=Cauvery delta to be declared a protected agriculture zone|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/cauvery-delta-to-be-declared-a-protected-agriculture-zone/article30778695.ece|access-date=10 February 2020|newspaper=The Hindu|date=10 February 2020}}{{cite news|title=Tamil Nadu declares Cauvery delta a protected agricultural zone|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-declares-cauvery-delta-a-protected-agricultural-zone/story-Xu1rVqg7eFoJza6wrKrJAK.html|date=10 February 2020|newspaper=Hindustan Times|access-date=1 December 2023}} In May 2020, the government passed an order for reservation of 7.5% of seats in government medical colleges to students from public schools while also announcing a plan to set up eleven new government medical colleges with 1,650 seats.{{cite news|date=29 October 2020|title=Tamil Nadu Govt Passes Order for 7.5% Quota in Medical Admissions for Govt School Students|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/tamil-nadu-govt-passes-order-to-implement-7-5-quota-in-medical-admissions-for-govt-school-students-3022247.html|work=News18|access-date=12 May 2022}}{{cite news|date=26 October 2020|title=Tamil Nadu govt to set up medical colleges in 11 districts, add 1,650 seats|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/tamil-nadu-govt-to-set-up-medical-colleges-in-11-districts-add-1-650-seats-120102600585_1.html|work=Business Standard|access-date=12 May 2022}}{{cite news|title=Tamil Nadu has 3,400 MBBS seats now and will add 1,650 in future: CM|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-has-3400-mbbs-seats-now-and-will-add-1650-in-future-cm/article32943453.ece|access-date=12 May 2022|newspaper=The Hindu|date=26 October 2020}}

Under his governance, Tamil Nadu was rated among the top states based on a composite index in the context of sustainable development according to the Public Affairs Index released by the Public Affairs Center in October 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala-goa-and-chandigarh-best-governed-states-ut-report/article32985716.ece|title=Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Goa best governed States: report|date=30 October 2020|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=1 December 2023}} During the coronavirus pandemic, Tamil Nadu was one of the few states that did not register negative growth.{{cite magazine|last1=Menon|first1=Amarnath|date=27 November 2021|title=Best performing big state overall: Tamil Nadu|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/state-of-the-states/story/20211206-best-performing-big-state-overall-tamil-nadu-1880826-2021-11-27|access-date=12 May 2022|magazine=India Today}} Tamil Nadu was ranked as the best performing big state from the year 2018 to 2021 based on a study conducted by India Today.{{cite news|title=T.N. tops in 'State of the States' study|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tn-tops-in-state-of-the-states-study/article33197263.ece|access-date=12 May 2022|newspaper=The Hindu|date=27 November 2020}}{{cite news|title=Tamil Nadu bags best performer award, again|language=en-IN|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2020/nov/28/state-bags-best-performer-award-again-2229024.html|date=28 November 2021|newspaper=The New Indian Express|access-date=12 May 2022}}

==== Tussle with Pannerselvam for AIADMK over Chief Ministerial candidate ====

The Tussle started in October 2020 when Minister for Milk and Dairy development K. T. Rajenthra Bhalaji tweeted that the party should go for elections, with EPS as the CM candidate. A day before Balaji’s tweet, Cooperative Minister Sellur K. Raju said, “MLAs will elect the chief minister” when AIADMK wins the 2021 elections.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/08/15/eps-or-ops-aiadmk-still-undecided-on-cm-candidate-party-chief.html|title=EPS or OPS? AIADMK still undecided on CM candidate, party chief|website=The Week|accessdate=18 August 2024}} Finally, then DCM Panneerselvam made the announcement that Palaniswami would be the chief ministerial candidate of the AIADMK on 20 October 2020 morning at a much awaited meeting at the AIADMK office in Chennai.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/10/07/aiadmk-tiff-over-palaniswami-to-be-cm-candidate-say-pannerselvam.html|title=AIADMK tiff over? Palaniswami to be CM candidate, says Panneerselvam|website=The Week|accessdate=18 August 2024}}

AIADMK lost the 2021 assembly elections and Palaniswami resigned as the chief-minister on 6 May 2021.{{cite news|agency=PTI|date=3 May 2021|title=TN CM Palaniswami resigns, Guv accepts it; dissolves Assembly|language=en-IN|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/tamil-nadu-assembly-polls-2021/story/tn-cm-palaniswami-resigns-guv-accepts-it-dissolves-assembly-1798464-2021-05-03|work=India Today|access-date=12 May 2022}}{{cite news|title=EPS quits as CM, flurry of resignations at Secretariat|url=https://www.dtnext.in/tamilnadu/2021/05/03/eps-quits-as-cm-flurry-of-resignations-at-secretariat|access-date=12 May 2022|work=DT next|date=4 May 2021}}{{cite news|title=Edappadi K. Palaniswami elected AIADMK legislature party leader|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/edappadi-k-palaniswami-elected-aiadmk-legislature-party-leader/article34525668.ece|date=10 May 2021|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=12 May 2022}} He won for the third consecutive time from the Edappadi constituency and was elected as the leader of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/edappadi-k-palaniswami-to-be-leader-of-opposition-in-tamil-nadu-assembly/articleshow/82518216.cms|title=Edappadi K Palaniswami to be leader of opposition in Tamil Nadu assembly|newspaper=The Times of India|first=Julie|last=Mariappan|date=10 May 2021|access-date=11 May 2021}}{{cite news|title=Edappadi Palaniswami elected as Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/may/10/edappadi-palaniswami-elected-as-leader-of-opposition-in-tamil-nadu-assembly-2300755.html|date=10 May 2021|newspaper=The New Indian Express|access-date=12 May 2022}}On 10 May 2021, the newly elected AIADMK MLAs convened to choose the new Leader of the Opposition, an important post equivalent to a cabinet minister. The meeting was inconclusive, with both Panneerselvam and Palaniswami staking claims to the post, while their supporters hurled charges against each other. This included a prolonged quarrel between the two sections of the party outside the party's head office, causing unrest. Supporters of Palaniswami believed that he should be the Leader of the Opposition due to the party's good performance in the election in western Tamil Nadu, the region he hails from; whereas, Panneerselvam's supporters felt that the party fared poorly in other regions of the state due to Palaniswami's wrong policies during his Chief Ministerial tenure.{{Cite news|last=Jesudasan|first=Dennis S.|date=8 May 2021|title=AIADMK unable to decide on Leader of Opposition post|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/aiadmk-unable-to-decide-on-leader-of-opposition-post/article34510412.ece|access-date=8 May 2021|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=8 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508090915/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/aiadmk-unable-to-decide-on-leader-of-opposition-post/article34510412.ece|url-status=live}} Eventually, Palaniswami was elected as the Leader of the Opposition.{{Cite news|date=10 May 2021|language=en-IN|work=newindianexpress|title=Edappadi Palaniswami elected as Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/may/10/edappadi-palaniswami-elected-as-leader-of-opposition-in-tamil-nadu-assembly-2300755.html|access-date=11 June 2021|archive-date=13 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513143613/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/may/10/edappadi-palaniswami-elected-as-leader-of-opposition-in-tamil-nadu-assembly-2300755.html|url-status=live}}

In June 2022, district secretaries and senior party members of AIADMK spoke out against the “dual leadership” system of Palaniswami and O. Panneerselvam.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/more-voices-emerge-in-favour-of-unitary-leadership-in-aiadmk/article65543471.ece|title=More voices emerge in favour of unitary leadership in AIADMK|newspaper=The Hindu|date=19 June 2022|access-date=1 December 2023}} The supporters of Palaniswami pushed for the change in the party's leadership structure to appoint him as the general secretary of AIADIMK ahead of the general council meeting on 23 June 2022, which was expected to elect the leadership of the party.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tamil-nadu-can-united-front-of-the-aiadmk-survive/articleshow/92324965.cms|title=Tamil Nadu: Can united front of the AIADMK survive?|newspaper=The Times of India|date=20 June 2022|access-date=1 December 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/eps-vs-ops-aiadmk-grapples-with-internecine-struggle-for-party-control-7978287/|title=EPS vs OPS: AIADMK grapples with internecine struggle for party control|newspaper=The New Indian Express|date=19 June 2022|access-date=1 December 2023}} In June 2022, Palaniswami wrote to Panneerselvam asserting the latter ceased to be the party coordinator as the amendments made to the party's bylaw in the 2021 December executive committee meeting were not recognised in the general council meeting held on 23 June.{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/o-panneerselvam-letter-edappadi-k-palaniswami-aiadmk-coordinator-tamil-nadu-8001329/|title=Tamil Nadu: Indicating OPS is no longer AIADMK coordinator, EPS says his letter on local body polls invalid|newspaper=Indian Express|date=30 June 2022|access-date=1 December 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/you-are-no-longer-aiadmk-coordinator-eps-tells-ops-101656615805480.html|title=You are no longer AIADMK coordinator, EPS tells OPS|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=1 July 2022|access-date=1 December 2023}}

On 11 July 2022, the general council of AIADMK abolished the dual leadership model, appointing Palaniswami as the interim chief and expelled Panneerselvam and his loyalists from the primary memberships of the party for "anti-party" activities.{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/aiadmk-tussle-setback-for-o-panneerselvam-madras-high-court-allows-meeting-called-by-rival-e-palaniswamy-3146035|title=AIADMK Tussle: Court Setback For OPS, Rival EPS Takes Charge|work=NDTV|date=11 July 2022|access-date=1 December 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/aiadmk-gears-up-for-eps-vs-ops-battle-as-madras-hc-set-to-deliver-verdict-on-plea-against-general-council-meet-5528575.html|title=OPS Expelled from AIADMK Through Special Resolution After EPS Takes Control of Party|work=News18|date=11 July 2022|access-date=1 December 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/aiadmk-tussle-setback-for-o-panneerselvam-madras-high-court-allows-meeting-called-by-rival-e-palaniswamy-3146035|title=AIADMK Tussle: EPS Is New Boss, Rival OPS Expelled|work=NDTV|date=11 July 2022|access-date=1 December 2023}}{{cite news|title=AIADMK general council anoints Edappadi K Palaniswami as party interim general secretary|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/aiadmk-general-council-appoints-edappadi-k-palaniswami-as-party-interim-general-secretary/articleshow/92794556.cms|newspaper=The Times of India|date=11 July 2022|access-date=1 December 2023}} While on 17 August, the Madras High Court nullified the decisions of the AIADMK general council and ordered maintaining a status quo, a division bench later upheld the decisions and set aside the previous court order on 2 September 2022.{{cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2022/aug/17/ops-wins-legal-battle-in-madras-hc-dual-leadership-to-continue-in-aiadmk-for-now-2488398.html|title=OPS wins legal battle in Madras HC, dual leadership to continue in AIADMK for now|author=R. Sivakumar|newspaper=The New Indian Express|date=17 August 2022|access-date=29 August 2022}}{{cite news|last=S|first=Mohamed Imranullah|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/aiadmk-leadership-tussle-division-bench-of-madras-high-court-reverses-earlier-order-in-favour-of-ops/article65839726.ece|title=AIADMK leadership tussle: Division Bench of Madras High Court reverses earlier order in favour of OPS|newspaper=The Hindu|date=2 September 2022|access-date=2 September 2022}} On 23 February 2023, the Supreme Court of India upheld the later order of the Madras High Court, effectively handing the leadership of the party to Palaniswami.{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sc-ops-eps-madras-hc-aiadmk-8461893/|title=Supreme Court rejects Paneerselvam's plea, Palaniswamy to continue as AIADMK general secretary|newspaper=Indian Express|date=23 February 2023|access-date=23 February 2023}} On 28 March 2023, AIADMK announced that Palaniswami was elected as the general secretary through party's general secretary election.{{cite news|last=Mariappan|first=Julie|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/eps-becomes-aiadmk-general-secretary/articleshow/99053258.cms|title=EPS becomes AIADMK general secretary; OPS petition rejected in Madras HC|newspaper=The Times of India|date=28 March 2023|access-date=1 September 2023}}{{cite news|last=S|first=Mohamed Imranullah|date=28 March 2023|title= Madras High Court rejects expelled AIADMK leaders' interim applications against party's 2022 general council resolutions|newspaper=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/madras-high-court-rejects-expelled-aiadmk-leaders-interim-applications-against-partys-2022-general-council-resolutions/article66670519.ece|access-date=2 September 2023}} On 20 April 2023, the Election Commission of India recognised Palaniswami as the general secretary, acknowledging the amendments to the party constitution and changes to list of office-bearers.{{cite report|date=20 April 2023|title= AIADMK Amended Constitution dated 20.04.2023|publisher=Election Commission of India|url=https://old.eci.gov.in/files/file/4934-all-india-anna-dravida-munnetra-kazhagam-constitution/?do=download}}{{cite news|date=20 April 2023|title= Election Commission of India recognises Edappadi K. Palaniswami as AIADMK general secretary|newspaper=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/election-commission-of-india-recognises-edappadi-k-palaniswami-as-aiadmk-general-secretary/article66760906.ece|access-date=2 September 2023}} On 20 August 2023, a conference was held at Madurai led by Palaniswami as a part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the founding of AIADMK.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/aiadmk-golden-jubilee-conference-kicks-off-in-madurai/article67215825.ece |title=AIADMK golden jubilee conference kicks off in Madurai|newspaper=The Hindu|date=20 August 2023|access-date=20 August 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/aiadmk-leader-palaniswami-inaugurates-partys-madurai-conference-2654043 |title=Palaniswami inaugurates AIADMK's Madurai conference|newspaper=Deccan Herald|date=20 August 2023|access-date=20 August 2023}} On 25 September 2023, Palaniswami led AIADMK officially left the National Democratic Alliance ahead of the 2024 Indian general election.{{cite news|title=AIADMK severs ties with BJP-led NDA alliance, to lead separate front for 2024 Lok Sabha polls|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/aiadmk-severs-ties-with-bjp-led-national-democratic-alliance-to-lead-separate-front-for-2024-lok-sabha-polls/cid/1968896|work=The Telegraph|date=25 September 2023|access-date=1 December 2023}}{{cite news|title=AIADMK severs ties with BJP-led NDA; to form front to fight 2024 LS polls|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/aiadmk-severs-ties-with-bjp-led-nda-to-form-front-to-fight-2024-ls-polls-2700089|newspaper=Deccan Herald|date=25 September 2023|access-date=1 December 2023}}{{cite news|title=AIADMK snaps ties with BJP-led NDA alliance ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/aiadmk-snaps-ties-with-bjp-led-nda-alliance-ahead-of-2024-lok-sabha-polls-8955585/|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=25 September 2023|access-date=1 December 2023}}

In the aftermath of the 2023 Chennai floods, Palaniswami demanded the chief minister of Tamil Nadu to release a white paper on the completed and ongoing stormwater drain work in Chennai and further criticised the state government for the lack of preparedness.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/cyclone-michaung-palaniswami-holds-stalin-responsible-for-lack-of-preparedness/article67621732.ece|title=Cyclone Michaung:Palaniswami holds Stalin responsible for 'lack of preparedness'|date=10 December 2023|access-date=10 December 2023|newspaper=The Hindu|archive-date=11 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211050935/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/cyclone-michaung-palaniswami-holds-stalin-responsible-for-lack-of-preparedness/article67621732.ece|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Cyclone Michaung; AIADMK calls for release of white paper on stormwater drain work in Chennai|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/cyclone-michaung-aiadmk-calls-for-release-of-white-paper-on-stormwater-drain-work-in-chennai/article67613694.ece|access-date=7 December 2023|newspaper=The Hindu|date=7 December 2023|archive-date=14 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214090549/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/cyclone-michaung-aiadmk-calls-for-release-of-white-paper-on-stormwater-drain-work-in-chennai/article67613694.ece|url-status=live}} In the 2024 general election, Palaniswami led AIADMK formed an alliance with Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, Puthiya Tamilagam, and Social Democratic Party of India and contested 36 seats in the state of Tamil Nadu and one each in the union territories of Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The party-led alliance failed to win any seats in the elections.{{cite news |last=Prasad |first=S |date=4 June 2024 |title=Tamil Nadu election results 2024: DMK alliance sweeps Cuddalore, Villupuram, and Kallakurichi |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/dmk-alliance-sweeps-cuddalore-villupuram-and-kallakurichi/article68251459.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=4 June 2024}}

{{Commons category|Edappadi K Palaniswami}}

• Edappadi K. Palaniswami ministry

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• [https://loksabha.nic.in/writereaddata/biodata_1_12/3891.htm Official Biographical Sketch in Lok Sabha Website]
• [https://assembly.tn.gov.in/archive/15thassembly/honcm.html Official Biographical Sketch in Tamil Nadu Assembly Website]

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{{Dravidian politics-hor|Tamil Nadu=Edappadi K. Palaniswami}}

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