EPS under pressure as AIADMK faction sides with Vijay’s TVK
A fresh political crisis has erupted within the AIADMK after senior leader CV Shanmugam openly acknowledged that the party is now divided into two camps and announced support for Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government ahead of the trust vote in Tamil Nadu.
Addressing reporters, Shanmugam said a majority of AIADMK MLAs had decided to support the Vijay-led government, while firmly rejecting any possibility of aligning with the DMK. He stressed that the AIADMK was founded to oppose the DMK and warned that any alliance with the ruling party would destroy the party’s identity.
“We have decided to extend our support to the TVK, which emerged victorious. We started this party against the DMK. For 53 years, we did politics against the DMK. In such a situation, the proposal that an AIADMK government would be formed with the support of the DMK was one that the majority of members did not accept and instead opposed. If we join an alliance with the DMK, then the AIADMK will be vanished. They didn’t accept it. Ultimately, we decided to extend our support to the TVK,” Shanmugam said.
The development marks a major setback for AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), who is facing mounting pressure following the party’s disappointing performance in the Assembly elections.
The Shanmugam faction also announced a reshuffle in the party’s Assembly leadership. Former minister SP Velumani was chosen as the AIADMK Assembly Leader, while C Vijayabaskar was appointed party Whip. According to Shanmugam, the decision has already been formally communicated to the Pro tem Speaker.
“So, the majority of AIADMK MLAs in the meeting passed a resolution that the AIADMK will contest elections alone. AIADMK will be without any alliance. We are without an alliance now and should revamp our party in the coming days. Secondly, our former Minister S.P. Velumani will be the AIADMK Assembly Leader. The Whip is C Vijayabaskar. We gave our letter to the Pro tem Speaker yesterday,” he added.
Shanmugam also admitted that the AIADMK has suffered repeated electoral setbacks in recent years and called for a complete internal review of the party’s functioning. He urged EPS to convene the party’s General Council meeting immediately to discuss the reasons behind the losses and chart a future strategy.
“Hereafter, regarding the AIADMK, in the past elections, we have been facing continuous losses. There is no other body to blame any individual. We accept the verdict and collectively accept the loss. We should do research on why we lost, in consultation with all. We have asked General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami to convene a meeting of the General Council as soon as possible to discuss why we lost,” Shanmugam said.
The latest rebellion has intensified uncertainty within the AIADMK and could significantly reshape opposition politics in Tamil Nadu, especially with Vijay’s TVK emerging as a new political force in the state.
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