AIADMK Denies Rift After MLAs Moved to Puducherry Resort

The AIADMK on Thursday denied internal divisions after more than a dozen of its newly-elected MLAs were moved to a resort in Puducherry, triggering speculation of a split over extending support to actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form the next Tamil Nadu government. Senior leaders, including KP Munuswamy and CV Shanmugam, stated the relocation was a precautionary measure against alleged poaching attempts by the TVK and affirmed the party, under chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, has ruled out supporting the new party.
The AIADMK clarified that the TVK has not formally approached it for support, with Munuswamy stating the decision not to back TVK was made with EPS's approval. Sources within the AIADMK said initial silence from EPS after the election results—where TVK emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats—had fueled speculation of possible support, but the leadership has since consolidated its position against alignment.
TVK, contesting its first election, fell short of a majority by 10 seats, or 11 if Vijay resigns one of his two seats. It has secured the conditional backing of Congress's five MLAs and is awaiting decisions from the Left parties (CPI and CPI-M, with four seats combined) and the VCK (two seats). However, TVK sources indicated it is unlikely to seek AIADMK support due to the latter's alliance with the BJP, which Vijay has identified as ideologically opposed.
Though TVK staked claim to form the government on Wednesday, Governor CP Radhakrishnan has delayed inviting Vijay to form the administration, asking for a verified list of 118 supporting MLAs. The Left parties are expected to meet and decide on their stance later today.