Around 30 MLAs are said to have backed the move, while a rival EPS-loyal group of 17 MLAs has countered with a separate letter supporting his continued leadership, exposing a clear split in the party’s legislative strength.
BY PC Bureau
May 11, 2026: Deep internal fissures within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) burst into public view on Monday, as a significant group of dissident MLAs—reportedly backed by senior leaders C. Ve. Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani—moved to install Velumani as the party’s legislature party leader, directly challenging general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS).
According to sources, around 30 AIADMK MLAs submitted a letter to pro-tem Speaker M.V. Karuppaiah seeking recognition of Velumani as the new legislative leader. In a counter-move, a rival EPS-loyal group of about 17 MLAs submitted a separate letter reaffirming Palaniswami’s leadership. The Speaker is yet to take a decision, but the parallel claims have effectively exposed a split within the party’s 47-member legislative strength.
Post-election setback fuels rebellion
The internal power struggle comes just days after AIADMK’s poor showing in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The party contested 167 seats but won only 47, slipping behind both the ruling DMK and debutant Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which emerged as a major political force with 108 seats.
The defeat has intensified criticism of EPS’s leadership, with several party insiders blaming “centralised decision-making” and lack of organisational cohesion for the electoral collapse. The results have also raised questions over AIADMK’s position as a dominant opposition force in the state.
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Following the election, senior leaders including Shanmugam and Velumani reportedly skipped multiple meetings convened by EPS. Parallel meetings were also held by the dissident camp, signalling deepening mistrust.
The divide was further evident during the oath-taking ceremony of MLAs, where legislators were seen sitting in separate groups rather than presenting a united front.
Leadership change and TVK alignment at the core
At the heart of the rebellion are two major demands. First, dissidents are calling for a change in leadership, arguing that EPS should step down after consecutive electoral setbacks since 2016. Some leaders have even warned of possible defections if the situation continues.
Second, a section within the party is exploring closer political alignment with TVK, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, to remain electorally relevant. However, EPS has resisted any such move, insisting that AIADMK should not seek external support that could dilute its identity. Reports also suggest informal discussions between dissident leaders and TVK, though the latter is said to have demanded formal resignations and re-contesting under its own symbol.
Stakes high for AIADMK’s future
The crisis highlights yet another chapter in AIADMK’s long history of internal power struggles, from earlier factional battles to post-Jayalalithaa leadership contests. However, analysts say the current situation poses a more serious existential challenge, with the rise of TVK disrupting Tamil Nadu’s traditional DMK–AIADMK political binary.
Velumani, a former minister with strong organisational influence in western Tamil Nadu, has emerged as a key power centre in the revolt, while Shanmugam is seen as the political face of the dissident camp.
The decision of the pro-tem Speaker on recognition of the legislature party leader could prove decisive, potentially triggering further defections or legal challenges. While some MLAs publicly insist that “all is well,” the visible split suggests otherwise.
Political observers warn that unless reconciliation happens swiftly, AIADMK risks either a formal split or significant erosion of its base to rival parties.
For now, the developments mark a critical turning point for the party, with its internal battle likely to reshape Tamil Nadu’s political landscape in the months ahead.
