Reports suggest a section of AIADMK legislators may extend outside support to Vijay’s TVK, potentially strengthening its position to form the government.
BY PC Bureau
May 9, 2026: As Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Joseph Vijay moves closer to forming the next government in Tamil Nadu with support from Congress, VCK, and Left parties, a major internal rebellion has erupted within the AIADMK, threatening a split that could further strengthen TVK’s numbers.
At the centre of the crisis is senior AIADMK leader and Rajya Sabha MP C.V. Shanmugam, with reports indicating that over 30 of the party’s 47 MLAs are aligned with his faction. A significant section of these legislators is reportedly open to extending outside support to Vijay’s TVK to help form the government.
Key huddle in Chennai escalates tensions
The situation intensified following a high-level meeting at Shanmugam’s office in Chennai on Saturday. Senior leaders, including S.P. Velumani, M.R. Vijayabhaskar, Natham Viswanathan, and C. Vijayabhaskar, were present after MLAs returned from a resort stay in Puducherry, where they had been relocated amid post-poll uncertainty.
The so-called “resort politics” saw more than 25–28 AIADMK MLAs housed in luxury properties in Puducherry, including RKN Beach Resort and Shore Trishvam. While the party officially claimed the move was to prevent poaching and ensure unity, sources suggest it was driven by the Shanmugam faction to exert pressure on party leadership.
🚨 BIGGEST BREAKING: 37 AIADMK MLAs leave Puducherry resort & rush to Chennai!
Strong signals they are ready to back TVK’s Thalapathy Vijay for CM & government formation.
“Split from EPS if needed” , sources say they want cabinet berths & stability.
Tamil Nadu politics…
— Amar Singh Chouhan (@amar_4inc) May 9, 2026
Demands for realignment with TVK
The rebel group is reportedly demanding a post-poll understanding with TVK in exchange for cabinet representation, including speculation of a Deputy Chief Minister post for a senior leader such as Shanmugam.
TVK, which has secured 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly (majority mark: 118), needs only a handful of additional seats for a stable majority. With backing from Congress (5 seats), VCK (2), and Left parties (around 4), support from even a section of AIADMK MLAs would provide a comfortable buffer.
AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) has so far maintained a neutral public stance, issuing a carefully worded congratulatory message to “the party forming the government” without naming TVK. While he is believed to be resisting any formal alliance with Vijay, internal dissent is reportedly weakening his control.
READ: ED Arrests Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora in Money Laundering Probe
Deepening fault lines within AIADMK
Shanmugam, a former minister and influential organisational leader, is emerging as a parallel power centre within the party. His faction is said to be mobilising disgruntled MLAs who believe AIADMK should align with emerging political realities rather than remain in opposition.
If the rebellion crosses the two-thirds threshold of the legislative party strength (around 32 MLAs), it could trigger a formal split or large-scale defection—reviving memories of past AIADMK fragmentation crises.
Implications for TVK and Tamil Nadu politics
For TVK, additional AIADMK support would not only ease the path to majority but also reduce dependence on ideologically diverse allies, strengthening the stability of Vijay’s prospective government.
Political observers note that while TVK already appears poised to form the government, the evolving AIADMK crisis could significantly reshape the final arithmetic in its favour.
Meanwhile, the DMK, which won 59 seats, is preparing for opposition leadership while continuing to criticise Congress for its alignment with TVK.
As of now, no formal split has been announced. EPS is reportedly engaged in last-minute efforts to contain the rebellion, but parallel meetings and shifting loyalties suggest a volatile situation.
With TVK expected to submit updated letters of support to Raj Bhavan soon, the next few hours could prove decisive—not only for AIADMK’s future but also for the final shape of Tamil Nadu’s next government.
