AIADMK faction leads split to join TVK government
A faction within AIADMK, led by senior leader CVe. Shanmugam, has split from Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s (EPS) leadership and pledged support to actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for government formation in Tamil Nadu. This rebel bloc claims around 30 MLAs, contrasting with only 17 backing EPS as the party’s legislature leader, amid post-election tensions following TVK’s emergence as the single largest party with 108 seats.
TVK, short of a majority, initially allied with Congress (5 MLAs) but needed more support, prompting outreach to AIADMK’s 47 seats. AIADMK’s official leadership offered then withdrew unconditional backing due to TVK’s delayed response, relocating MLAs to a Puducherry resort to avert defections under anti-defection laws (requiring 32 for a legal split).
Reports indicate internal dissent brewed over EPS’s reluctance to align with TVK, with veteran leaders pushing for power-sharing to oust DMK. Shanmugam’s group submitted a letter to the Assembly Secretary affirming their pro-TVK stance, escalating speculation of a formal split as of May 11, 2026. This could enable TVK to cross the majority mark without further alliances.
