Last Updated:
At least 24 MLAs broke ranks with the AIADMK to vote in favour of the TVK government during a crucial floor test on May 13.
The latest defection was a setback for Edappadi K Palaniswami, who is already under pressure after his party was reduced to just 47 seats in the recent election. (Photo: PTI)
The embattled AIADMK suffered another massive jolt on Monday as three MLAs from C Ve Shanmugam’s rebel camp quit the party to join C Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
K Maragatham, D Jayakumar and V Sathyabama met the Tamil Nadu Speaker and submitted their resignations today. With their resignations, the strength of the AIADMK in the Assembly has come down to 44. By-elections to these three constituencies, along with Tiruchirappalli (East), are expected to be held within the next six months.
The defections marked the latest in a growing list of crises for the AIADMK under the leadership of Edappadi K Palaniswami, after the party’s poor performance in the 2026 Assembly elections. At least 24 rebel AIADMK MLAs broke ranks with the party whip to extend support to Vijay’s government during a crucial floor test on May 13.
Defeat, Dissent And Defections
The AIADMK only managed to secure 47 seats out of Tamil Nadu’s 234, while Vijay’s TVK rocked the political landscape by emerging as the single largest force with 108 seats. However, the party fell 10 seats short of the majority mark, triggering intense post-poll negotiations and alliance-building efforts.
The results weakened EPS’s claim as the undisputed face of the anti-DMK space in Tamil Nadu politics and led to an unprecedented rebellion inside the party, with C Ve Shanmugam accusing the AIADMK supremo of allying with arch-rival DMK to form the government.
At least 24 MLAs broke ranks, ignored the party whip and voted in favour of the TVK government, pushing Vijay’s tally to 144 lawmakers. The rebellion has since triggered disciplinary proceedings within the AIADMK, including action under the anti-defection law.
Several senior leaders have criticised EPS’s “dictatorial” functioning and accused him of taking unilateral decisions on alliances and candidate selection. The rebel faction said that EPS must be removed to restore the party as per the vision of MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa.
CPM’s Warning On TVK-AIADMK Alliance
However, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has warned Vijay that it may reconsider support for his party if the rebel leaders are accommodated in the government, saying the Left parties had extended outside support to the TVK government to prevent “backdoor entry of the BJP’s rule”.
Tamil Nadu Minister Aadhav Arjuna later clarified the ruling TVK’s position, insisting that the alliance remains united and that the Chief Minister wants the Cabinet to function “like one family.”
Read More
