CHENNAI, MAY 11 (AGENCIES): The AIADMK appears headed for a major split with a large section of party leaders and MLAs openly challenging party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) and pushing for an alliance with Chief Minister Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government.
The internal crisis surfaced days after reported backchannel talks on a possible DMK-AIADMK understanding collapsed, triggering fresh unrest within the AIADMK following the Assembly elections.
According to party sources, around 30 MLAs and several senior leaders are aligned with a rebel bloc led by former ministers S.P. Velumani, C. Vijayabaskar and senior leader C.Ve. Shanmugham. The faction is reportedly demanding that the AIADMK formally support the TVK government and join the ruling coalition.
EPS, however, is said to be opposed to the move. AIADMK won 47 seats in the Assembly polls.
Sources in the rebel camp claimed that EPS had become politically weakened within the party and that several leaders were prepared for a formal split if negotiations failed. Some leaders were also reportedly considering aligning with TVK within a week.
The divisions became visible on Monday when AIADMK MLAs arrived separately on the opening day of the Assembly session. While 17 MLAs submitted a letter backing EPS as legislature party leader, around 30 legislators from the rival camp reportedly backed Velumani as floor leader.
The immediate trigger for the latest crisis was the collapse of alleged power-sharing talks involving the DMK and AIADMK. Sources claimed the proposal involved an AIADMK-led coalition government supported by smaller allies from both camps, with outside backing from the DMK and EPS projected as chief minister.
However, the discussions reportedly collapsed over leadership disagreements. Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol Thirumavalavan was said to have objected to EPS becoming chief minister, while EPS reportedly rejected suggestions projecting Thirumavalavan for the post.
Following the collapse of talks and TVK securing majority support with backing from Congress, VCK, CPI, CPI(M) and IUML, old fault lines within AIADMK resurfaced rapidly.
Sources said EPS spent Sunday meeting district secretaries to consolidate his position, but more than half were believed to be leaning towards Velumani, once considered one of EPS’s closest organisational allies.
The rebel camp has reportedly demanded that EPS step down as general secretary and allow the party to negotiate with TVK.
However, differences are also emerging within the dissident faction over succession, with no clear consensus on whether Velumani or Shanmugham should lead the party if EPS exits.
Meanwhile, sources in TVK said informal discussions on cabinet allocation were already underway. According to them, AIADMK could receive between eight and 12 ministerial berths if enough MLAs eventually support the coalition government.
The BJP’s role in the unfolding crisis has also become a topic of discussion within AIADMK circles, with rebel leaders accusing EPS of damaging ties with the BJP leadership ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and allocating unwinnable seats to the party during the 2026 Assembly elections.
For many within AIADMK, remaining in opposition after repeated defeats is increasingly being viewed as politically risky as Vijay consolidates power in Tamil Nadu.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026