Chennai: The first day of the 17th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly witnessed visible signs of unease within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam as the party’s newly elected MLAs arrived at the Assembly in two separate groups for the oath-taking ceremony on Monday.

One faction, comprising MLA-designates and former ministers K P Munusamy and Thalavai N Sundaram, accompanied party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami to the Assembly premises.

Shortly afterwards, another group led by former minister S P Velumani and joined by former minister Dr C Vijayabaskar arrived separately, fuelling speculation over internal divisions within the party after its disappointing Assembly poll performance.

Former minister C Ve Shanmugam did not arrive on time for the ceremony.

Traditionally, AIADMK legislators gather together at the entrance of the Assembly and enter the House as a united bloc. However, Monday’s separate arrivals painted a contrasting picture and intensified chatter about a possible leadership tussle within the party.

The AIADMK managed to secure only 47 seats in the April 23 Assembly elections, triggering murmurs within the organisation over the need for a change in leadership.

An emotional moment unfolded during the swearing-in ceremony when AIADMK MLA K Mohan broke down after seeing a large portrait of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa displayed inside the House among portraits of former chief ministers.

He uttered “honourable revolutionary leader Amma” before bursting into tears. He later signed the register, formally completing the oath-taking process.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay was the first legislator to take oath in the Assembly.

Amid growing speculation over internal friction, AIADMK MLA Esakki Subaya dismissed reports of a crisis within the party and asserted that the organisation remained united.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Assembly session, the Ambasamudram legislator said, “Everything is going well within the party. No one can break the party.”

Rejecting claims of dissatisfaction among party members, he added, “Everything is going well within the party. There is no such thing as dissatisfaction.”

When asked about possible changes in the party leadership, Subaya downplayed the discussions, saying they were merely debates and not reflective of the current situation.

Categorically denying any attempts to weaken the organisation, he maintained that no one had the power to “break” the AIADMK and termed reports of a split as “false news”.

Subaya further stressed that the party remained focused on governance and public welfare, saying its primary goal was ensuring good governance and the well-being of the country.