The AIADMK is facing a fresh internal power struggle after a faction led by senior leaders SP Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam reportedly moved closer to extending support to Vijay’s ruling TVK government.
Chennai: The internal power struggle within the AIADMK has intensified after a faction led by senior leaders S P Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam formally extended support to Chief Minister Vijay’s ruling TVK government, triggering fresh split fears inside the party and mounting pressure on Edappadi K Palaniswami.
The political crisis deepened after the Velumani-Shanmugam camp reportedly claimed the backing of a majority of AIADMK MLAs and pushed for changes in the legislature party leadership. The move comes in the aftermath of the party’s poor Assembly election performance, which has fuelled growing dissatisfaction against Palaniswami’s leadership.
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The rift became visible on the opening day of the Tamil Nadu Assembly session when AIADMK MLAs arrived in two separate camps. While one faction stood firmly behind Palaniswami, another group led by Velumani and Shanmugam submitted separate representations seeking recognition for a different leadership arrangement within the legislature party.
According to reports, Palaniswami wrote to the Speaker claiming leadership of the AIADMK legislature party and appointed Thalavai Sundaram as whip. However, the rival faction reportedly sought recognition for Velumani as legislature party leader and C Vijayabaskar as whip, signalling an open challenge to EPS within the Assembly.
Sources within the party claim the anti-Palaniswami bloc currently has the support of nearly 30 MLAs out of AIADMK’s 47 legislators, while the EPS camp is believed to have the backing of around 17 to 20 MLAs.
The latest development gained further significance after the Velumani-led faction reportedly decided to extend support to the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government headed by C Joseph Vijay. The move has intensified speculation that sections of the AIADMK may align with the TVK government amid the ongoing leadership battle.
Rebel leaders are also reportedly demanding that Edappadi K Palaniswami step down as AIADMK general secretary, blaming him for successive electoral defeats in recent years, including the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.
Political observers say the current turmoil is shaping into one of the biggest internal crises faced by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam since the post-MGR and post-Jayalalithaa factional battles that earlier split the party.
Despite the growing rebellion, some AIADMK leaders have denied reports of a formal split and insisted that the party remains united. However, with rival factions staking competing claims before the Speaker, an immediate decision on the legislature party leadership appears unlikely due to possible legal and anti-defection complications.
(With PTI inputs)
Published: 12 May 2026, 09:43 am IST
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