Political developments in Tamil Nadu gathered pace on Tuesday after Chief Minister Joseph Vijay met senior rebel AIADMK leaders C Ve Shanmugam and SP Velumani ahead of the crucial floor test in the state assembly. The meeting has intensified speculation about a possible split within the AIADMK, with the rebel faction now openly moving closer to Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). According to sources, Shanmugam and Velumani assured Vijay that more than 30 MLAs are backing their group and are prepared to support the TVK government during Wednesday’s trust vote in the assembly. The political significance of the meeting increased further after Shanmugam earlier in the day announced that his faction was severing ties with the NDA alliance.
Soon after, the rebel group reportedly submitted a letter to the pro-tem Speaker demanding that Velumani be recognised as the leader of the AIADMK legislative party. The move has triggered a fresh power struggle inside the AIADMK. Party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has also written to the Assembly Secretariat, claiming that he remains the legitimate leader of the party’s MLAs. The decision on rival claims will now rest with newly elected Speaker JCD Prabhakar, who is expected to take a call on the matter before the floor test.
Internal rift deepens inside AIADMK
The latest development comes as the AIADMK is already facing internal divisions following its poor performance in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Differences within the party became visible after Velumani and Shanmugam publicly supported the idea of backing Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) during uncertainty over government formation. Their stand reportedly did not go down well with Palaniswami, leading to signs of a growing power struggle within the party.
The situation has now fueled talk of a possible split between the Palaniswami camp and leaders supporting closer ties with the TVK.
Pressure mounts on Palaniswami after election setback
AIADMK’s disappointing showing in the 2026 Assembly elections has added to the pressure on Palaniswami’s leadership. The party managed to win only 47 seats.
Several leaders and former ministers have reportedly questioned his leadership style and demanded change at the top. Sources claim some senior leaders even skipped a recent meeting chaired by Palaniswami, further adding to speculation about discontent in the party ranks.
Former AIADMK leader KC Palanisamy said many MLAs want a leadership change and warned that some legislators could support the TVK if the current leadership crisis continues. Rumours of division gained more attention on Monday when newly elected AIADMK MLAs arrived at the Tamil Nadu Assembly in two separate groups.
One faction was seen with Palaniswami and senior leaders KP Munusamy and Thalavai N Sundaram, while another group included Velumani and Dr C Vijayabaskar. The separate appearances immediately sparked political chatter about camps forming inside the party ahead of the floor test.
AIADMK denies any crisis
Despite growing speculation, AIADMK leaders have denied reports of internal conflict. Party MLA Esakki Subaya insisted that the party remains united and dismissed claims of dissatisfaction among MLAs. He said no one could break the AIADMK and urged people not to read too much into recent developments.
