Last Updated:
A rebel AIADMK faction comprising 30 MLAs moved to back the Vijay-led government in Tamil Nadu just 24 hours before a crucial floor test.
AIADMK supremo Edappadi K Palaniswami suffered a major setback after a rebel camp joined hands with the TVK-led government. (PTI/File)
A new political twist has emerged in Tamil Nadu after 30 AIADMK MLAs revolted against party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday and rallied behind the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government, in a fresh boost for the ruling coalition.
In an unprecedented move, the rebel AIADMK faction led by CV Shanmugam reportedly submitted a petition to Tamil Nadu’s protem speaker seeking recognition of S P Velumani as the Legislature Party leader. The rebel MLAs also held a meeting with Chief Minister Vijay.
The developments came as the Vijay-led government is set to prove its majority in a floor test on Wednesday (May 13). TVK, which won 108 seats in the assembly election, enjoys the support of 120 MLAs after spending several days forming political alliances to form the government.
Why Did AIADMK MLAs Rebel?
The Shanmugam faction of AIADMK has accused Palaniswami of seeking an alliance with its arch-rival DMK and questioned his leadership following the party’s debacle in the April 23 assembly polls, where it won only 47 out of the 164 seats it contested.
Nearly 30 MLAs from the rebel camp joined hands with the TVK-led government just 24 hours before the crucial floor test, accusing Palaniswami of a “betrayal of ideology” by allying with the DMK. They said supporting the Vijay-led government was a step towards “reviving Amma’s (Jayalalithaa) legacy” and restoring relevance.
ALSO READ: Enemy Of My Enemy: Why AIADMK Rebels Are Backing Vijay To ‘Save Party From Stalin’
The rebel camp is two MLAs short of a two-thirds majority that will allow the Shanmugam faction to claim legitimacy as the real AIADMK. EPS, however, continues to hold the position of general secretary and retains backing from a smaller but loyal section of the party.
A TVK-AIADMK Merger On The Cards
If two more MLAs join the rebel camp, they would avoid disqualification under the Anti-Defection Law as mentioned in the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. More importantly, it could end Palaniswami’s control of the party and put a big question mark on his political future.
If the rebel camp were to join the TVK government, it would further strengthen the ruling coalition, taking the total number of MLAs beyond 150 out of the state’s total 234. It would also make TVK less dependent on Congress, CPI, CPI(M) or other small parties, particularly during any disagreements.
READ MORE: End Of Road For EPS? AIADMK Rebel Faction Only 2 MLAs Short Of Avoiding Anti-Defection
Palaniswami, who has been a prominent leader of the AIADMK for decades, faces a tough future after the party suffered heavy defeats under his leadership in 2019, 2021, 2024 and 2026. After Jayalalithaa’s death in 2016, he allied with O. Paneerselvam to prevent VK Sasikala from consolidating power, before later expelling OPS in 2022, but his own style of politics has come back to haunt him.
What Happens During Floor Test?
After days of a political deadlock and intense negotiations, the TVK managed to get the support of the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML, taking the total strength of the coalition to 120 seats, just over the majority mark of 118.
With the support of 30 AIADMK rebels and the existing backing of the coalition partners, Vijay’s government could easily pass the floor test with a combined strength of around 150 MLAs, provided that two-thirds of MLAs switch camps. The floor test could herald a new political dawn in Tamil Nadu, with the TVK replacing the Dravidian duopoly and dealing a major blow to one of its principal rivals.
Read More
