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EPS has no such idea: AIADMK rebel accuses party chief of betrayal after trust vote
AIADMK MLAs backed the TVK government in the Tamil Nadu assembly trust vote on May 13, 2026. Immediately after, CV Shanmugam rebelled against party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, accusing him of betraying the party and straying from AIADMK principles. The episode signals a deepening internal feud and a potential leadership battle within AIADMK.
Why It Matters
The internal rift within AIADMK and the rebel support for the TVK government during a crucial floor test highlight post-poll fractures that could reshape Tamil Nadu politics.
Timeline
5 Events
Internal feud escalates into a leadership battle as rebels back TVK
May 13, 2026
Days after the election results and during Vijay’s floor test, rebel AIADMK MLAs led by Shanmugam and SP Velumani openly supported the TVK government, challenging EPS's authority and signaling a broader post-poll leadership struggle.
Jayalalithaa legacy invoked amid internal tensions
May 13, 2026
The rebel leader invoked the legacy of late AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa, arguing that Amma faced political persecution under DMK-backed cases and urging that the betrayer be identified.
Shanmugam defends himself and accuses EPS of abandoning principles
May 13, 2026
Shanmugam said he had not betrayed AIADMK and accused the general secretary of drifting away from the party's core principle of opposing the DMK.
CV Shanmugam rebels against AIADMK chief
May 13, 2026
AIADMK MLA CV Shanmugam publicly rebelled against party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, arguing that there is a demand for readmission of those who left or were expelled to strengthen the party, but EPS has no such idea.
Trust vote in Tamil Nadu Assembly: TVK-led government wins with outside support
May 13, 2026
During the floor test, the TVK-led government won the trust vote with 144 MLAs backing it. The government had 108 seats and received outside support from Congress, Left parties, IUML, and a rebelling AIADMK faction.