AIADMK Faces Setback as Three MLAs Resign to Join TVK in Tamil Nadu
The AIADMK is facing a significant internal crisis as three of its MLAs have resigned from the Tamil Nadu Assembly to join the TVK party, led by Chief Minister Vijay. This move follows a recent electoral defeat and comes just weeks after a faction of AIADMK MLAs pledged support to the TVK government. The resignations have reduced the number of rebel MLAs within the party, while some have returned to support party leader Edappadi Palaniswami. The political landscape in Tamil Nadu continues to shift as alliances change and the struggle for power intensifies.
| May 26, 2026, 18:56 IST
AIADMK's Internal Struggles Intensify
Following a significant defeat in the recent elections, the AIADMK is grappling with internal discord. On Monday, three of its MLAs resigned from the Tamil Nadu Assembly and joined the TVK party, led by Chief Minister Vijay. The legislators, Maragatham Kumaravel, Jayakumar, and Sathiyabama, submitted their resignations to the Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar, who accepted them. This development comes just two weeks after 30 MLAs, under the leadership of senior AIADMK figure CV Shanmugam, pledged their support to Vijay's TVK government.
Details of the Resigning MLAs
Kumaravel won from the Maduranthakam constituency, Sathiyabama from Dharapuram, and Jayakumar from Perundurai, all on AIADMK tickets. Dharapuram and Perundurai are part of the AIADMK's traditional stronghold in western Tamil Nadu, while Maduranthakam is located near Chennai. Immediately after resigning, the MLAs met with TVK minister Aadhav Arjun in his office. These three legislators were among the 25 who recently shifted their allegiance to Vijay, violating the party whip during a floor test on May 13 to support the TVK government.
Shifting Allegiances in AIADMK
Five of the rebel MLAs have since returned their loyalty to party leader Edappadi Palaniswami, increasing the number of legislators supporting him in the Assembly to 27. Among those returning to Palaniswami's faction is S.M. Sukumar from Arakkonam.
Impact of Recent Resignations
With the resignation of the three MLAs and the return of five to Palaniswami's camp, the number of rebels has decreased from 25 to 17. In the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, AIADMK secured 47 seats, while Vijay's TVK emerged as the largest party with 108 seats, albeit short of a majority. The TVK subsequently formed a government with support from Congress, IUML, VCK, and leftist parties, while the rebel MLAs backed the ruling coalition. However, a new twist emerged as senior leader S.P. Velumani denied any intentions to split the party, asserting that Edappadi Palaniswami would remain their leader. He emphasized the need to restore the "Amma rule" associated with former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. Velumani also stated that neither he nor Shanmugam had expressed interest in obtaining positions in the newly formed government, which did not offer any cabinet positions to the rebel AIADMK MLAs during Vijay's recent cabinet expansion.