AIADMK on brink of split as 36 MLAs revolt against Edappadi K Palaniswami

CHENNAI: AIADMK plunged into fresh turmoil on Sunday after former minister C Ve Shanmugam rallied 36 newly elected MLAs against party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, triggering a rebellion that threatened to split the party after another electoral setback.

Dissidents accused Palaniswami, or EPS, of taking "unilateral decisions" and pursuing "self-interest" over AIADMK's survival. AIADMK contested polls as part of NDA and secured 47 seats, while the alliance won 53 seats, with BJP contributing one seat.





Rebel functionaries have planned a presser Monday to announce their next move. "EPS is not taking decisions for welfare of AIADMK but for his self-interest," a neta in the Shanmugam camp said.

Crisis unfolded as Tamil Nadu grappled with a fractured mandate. According to party sources, Shanmugam and former minister SP Velumani had explored a post-poll tie-up with Vijay's TVK as the latter appeared short of a majority. EPS was simultaneously pursuing support from DMK, sources said.

Palaniswami held a closed-door meeting with AIADMK MLAs after their return from a Puducherry resort, then posted a cryptic message on X congratulating "a party that will form the govt", fuelling speculation that attempts to secure DMK backing had collapsed.

Hours later, Shanmugam and 35 MLAs assembled at his residence for strategy talks. Sources said rebel legislators were preparing to support Vijay during a confidence vote and stake claim as the "real AIADMK" inside the assembly. Shanmugam is eyeing the post of AIADMK legislature party leader. Senior netas failed to broker peace between rival camps.

Another source said Shanmugam accused EPS of "betraying voters" by attempting to seek DMK support through Udhayanidhi Stalin after AIADMK slipped to third place in the election. Sources said DMK chief MK Stalin had floated possibility of supporting an AIADMK-led govt during consultations with allies, including CPI, CPM and VCK.