AIADMK MLAs Split Into Rival Groups Amid Leadership Challenge to EPS

Newly-elected AIADMK MLAs arrived at the Tamil Nadu Assembly in two visibly distinct groups, one led by senior leader SP Velumani and the other by party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, fueling speculation of a leadership challenge within the opposition party. The split has raised questions about Palaniswami's hold over the legislature wing following the party's fourth consecutive electoral defeat since 2019.

A faction of MLAs, reportedly aligned with TVK chief Vijay, had earlier been relocated to a resort in Puducherry, where they rallied around senior leader CV Shanmugam, who is now seen as a potential contender for legislature party leader. While the AIADMK dismissed the move as a preventive measure against poaching, sources confirmed internal disagreements over supporting Vijay, which were only settled after Palaniswami rejected any alliance.

Palaniswami visited the MLAs in Puducherry in an effort to quell dissent, but several of them later regrouped at Shanmugam's office, underscoring ongoing tensions. A proposed coalition arrangement backed by Palaniswami—where AIADMK would support a non-TVK government with outside backing from the DMK—collapsed after opposition from the CPI(M), which rejected it as contrary to the election mandate.

With Vijay's TVK securing majority support to form the government, AIADMK's political options have narrowed. Internal discussions are now focused on the upcoming election for legislature party leader, where both Velumani and Shanmugam are being discussed as possible alternatives to Palaniswami.

The AIADMK is expected to hold its legislature party meeting in the coming days to elect a floor leader, as party leadership assesses whether Palaniswami retains majority support among elected MLAs.