Visible divide in AIADMK as MLAs enter Tamil Nadu Assembly in two groups

Following reports of talks, over two dozen AIADMK MLAs were whisked away to a resort in Puducherry, as part of party discussions unfolding in the background.

Leema Rose Martin, AIADMK winner from Lalgudi, said last week talks were underway between Palaniswami and TVK, and noted a connection through TVK lawmaker Aadhav Arjuna (her son-in-law).

Political analyst Sathyalaya Ramakrishnan urged that misunderstandings be resolved through dialogue and unity, cautioned against a split, and noted that MLAs were seated together in the Assembly at present.

A senior AIADMK leader dismissed the division, saying the party would analyse the defeat and work towards welfare, noting Palaniswami’s objective is the welfare of the public and pointing to his electoral win in Edappadi by over 98,000 votes.

Former AIADMK leader K C Palanisamy told PTI that there is a clear split within the party, with many MLAs seeking a change in leadership and suggesting that some may extend support to TVK if Palaniswami remains leader.

On Monday, social media posts and media reports emerged indicating that two AIADMK factions submitted separate letters to the new Tamil Nadu assembly pro-tem speaker naming Edappadi Palaniswami and Velumani as their respective legislative party leaders; this could not be independently verified.

TVK won 108 seats in the polls, defeating the ruling DMK, leaving AIADMK far behind. After Vijay’s resignation from Tiruchirappalli East, TVK had 107 seats and formed the government with the support of 13 MLAs from Congress, VCK, IUML and the Left parties.

The AIADMK's newly elected legislators attended the oath-taking ceremony for the 17th Tamil Nadu legislative assembly in two groups, with one led by former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and the other by CV Shanmugam and SP Velumani. The two groups sat separately inside the assembly and entered the house as two blocs, marking a departure from the usual united entry.

AIADMK lost the Erode by-election in 2025, further highlighting electoral challenges ahead of the 2026 polls.

AIADMK faced a setback in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, adding to the party’s broader electoral difficulties.

AIADMK faced a setback in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly election, continuing a cycle of electoral challenges for the party.

AIADMK faced a setback in the 2019 Parliament election, contributing to ongoing questions about party leadership and strategy.