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AIADMK’s latest crisis comes after a humiliating electoral outcome in which the party managed just 47 seats out of 167 it contested.
Shanmugam, who has extended support to the C Joseph Vijay-led government, now needs the backing of around 32 MLAs — two-thirds of AIADMK’s total strength of 47 legislators — to claim the status of the “real” AIADMK. (PTI file photo)
The opposition AIADMK is staring at yet another major internal rupture, with around 30 rebel MLAs breaking ranks and throwing their support behind the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government.
The move comes in the wake of the party’s poor performance in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and growing anger over leadership decisions taken by general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS).
Post-Poll Shock Triggers Open Revolt
AIADMK’s latest crisis comes after a humiliating electoral outcome in which the party managed just 47 seats out of 167 it contested, despite a high-stakes campaign across the state. The defeat has sharpened internal divisions, with a faction led by senior leaders S.P. Velumani and C.Ve. Shanmugam now openly questioning EPS’s leadership.
The rebel group claims backing from 30 of the party’s 47 MLAs and has announced support for the newly formed TVK government led by actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay.
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According to them, the decision is driven by four consecutive electoral defeats under EPS’s leadership in 2019, 2021, 2024 and 2026. They also allege that EPS attempted backchannel discussions with the rival DMK to form a government, a move they say violates AIADMK’s long-standing anti-DMK ideology.
Why Rebels Are Backing Vijay’s TVK
Speaking to reporters, rebel leaders argued that the party needs a “new political direction” after repeated defeats and declining voter trust. They said supporting the Vijay-led government was a step towards “reviving Amma’s (Jayalalithaa) legacy” and restoring relevance.
They are also expected to formally meet TVK leadership and submit a letter of support ahead of a crucial floor test. The rebels maintain that the current leadership structure has failed to reflect cadre sentiment and electoral realities.
EPS, however, continues to hold the position of general secretary and retains backing from a smaller but loyal section of the party. The AIADMK leadership has dismissed the rebellion as politically motivated, accusing dissidents of spreading false claims after failing in their own constituencies.
Past Splits Return To Haunt Party
The current turmoil has revived memories of AIADMK’s turbulent history of factional splits. The party first fractured in 1987 following the death of founder M.G. Ramachandran, dividing between VN Janaki and J. Jayalalithaa before reunification in 1989.
A second major split emerged after Jayalalithaa’s death in 2016, triggering a power struggle between O. Panneerselvam, V.K. Sasikala and EPS. Although EPS eventually consolidated control by 2017 and later expelled OPS in 2022, internal friction has persisted.
(With inputs from PTI)
Tamil Nadu, India, India
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