AIADMK headed for a split after poll drubbing

The AIADMK in Tamil Nadu seems headed for a split after two groups of party MLAs nominated different leaders as the floor leader of the party to the Assembly speaker on Monday.

17 MLAs gave a letter to the pro-tem Speaker seeking to declare Edapadi Palanisami as their leader, while a separate group of 30 MLAs sought to declare SP Velusami as their leader. The decision will be taken by the Assembly Speaker, who is yet to be selected.

The internal rift in the AIADMK is the result of the recent election drubbing, with the MLAs divided over extending support to the ruling TVK in Tamil Nadu, while signs of revolt against party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami were also visible. Having contested 167 out of 234 constituencies, the party was able to secure only 47 seats.

A few rebel faction MLAs also demanded that Palaniswami step down following the party’s poor electoral performance. The feud between the AIADMK leaders came to the limelight when rebel group MLAs, including Velumani and CV. Shanmugam, skipped the meetings chaired by Palaniswami soon after the poll debacle. Party insiders said Shanmugam, Velumani and their supporters have shown interest in backing the TVK.

The internal fight became visible as the AIADMK legislators came to the Assembly in two groups, one headed by former minister SP Velumani and another led by Palaniswami.

The party’s internal turmoil has emerged at a tough period for the AIADMK, which had faced successive electoral defeats, including in the 2019 General Election, the 2021 Assembly election, the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and the 2021 Assembly election. In addition, the party also lost the Erode by-election in 2025.