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Rival AIADMK factions go into huddle; Shanmugam says he won’t visit HQ until justice (May 14, 2026)
Two AIADMK factions led by Edappadi Palaniswami and senior leaders held a strategic huddle on May 14, 2026, after a floor test in which cross-voting affected the opposition. Shanmugam refused to visit the party headquarters until his group received justice, while Palaniswami tightened internal control and sought to disqualify rebel MLAs. Security was heightened around the party HQ as both sides prepared further actions.
Why It Matters
The split within a major regional party and the cross-voting during the floor test have implications for party cohesion, governance in Tamil Nadu, and potential shifts in the state’s political dynamics ahead of any further parliamentary or local developments.
Timeline
9 Events
G Hari removed from AIADMK party posts
May 14, 2026
Palaniswami announced the removal of party MLA G Hari from his party posts, including Organisation Secretary; Hari is aligned with the rebel faction.
Speaker contacted over disqualification of rebel MLAs
May 14, 2026
Agri S Krishnamurthy and Thalavai N Sundaram met the Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar seeking action on the disqualification of rebel MLAs for not voting against the government in the floor test and asked for party leadership appointments to be made.
Cadres visit Palaniswami's residence with bouquets; new office-bearers meet him
May 14, 2026
A large number of AIADMK cadres thronged Palaniswami's residence with bouquets to extend support, and newly appointed office-bearers called on him.
Palaniswami chairs meeting with supporting MLAs at his residence
May 14, 2026
Palaniswami chaired a meeting with his supporting MLAs at his residence to counter the rebel group.
AIADMK HQ security intensified in anticipation of trouble
May 14, 2026
Puratchi Thalaivar MGR Maaligai, the AIADMK headquarters, came under heavy police security cover amid tensions between the factions, following past violence at the headquarters during leadership struggles.
Factions hold huddle to decide next course of action
May 14, 2026
The rival AIADMK factions led by Edappadi K Palaniswami and the Shanmugam-Velumani group held brainstorming sessions with their supporters to determine the next steps after the floor test and ongoing tensions.
Shanmugam states he will not visit the AIADMK HQ until justice is served
May 14, 2026
Before the meetings, Shanmugam told mediapersons that his supporting MLAs and senior leaders will not visit the AIADMK headquarters unless his group gets justice. He said, 'In any situation, I will not come to the head office', and noted there will be no clash between the two groups.
May 13, 2026: TVK government floor test conducted with cross-voting
May 13, 2026
The TVK government's floor test was conducted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. The test saw cross-voting by several MLAs, resulting in a setback for the opposition.
Earlier leadership struggle and HQ violence in 2022
2022
Violence had broken out and the AIADMK headquarters was targeted and damaged during the leadership struggle between Palaniswami and then party leader O Panneerselvam in 2022.