Following the conviction of AIADMK chief Sasikala Natarajan, Edappadi K Palanisamy was chosen as the new legislature party leader. Palanisamy currently serves as the Minister for Highways and Minor Ports in the state, a post he has held since 2016. He was also widely regarded as one of the most trusted members in late CM Jayalalithaa's cabinet, after O Panneerselvam.