AIADMK’s internal crisis deepened after three of its MLAs resigned from the Tamil Nadu Assembly and extended support to Chief Minister Vijay’s TVK. The party has been witnessing growing divisions following its recent election defeat. The MLAs, Maragatham Kumaravel, Jayakumar, and Sathyabama, submitted their resignations to Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar. The move has increased political tension within the Edappadi Palaniswami-led AIADMK.
Rebel Camp Continues to Grow
The development comes two weeks after nearly 30 AIADMK MLAs, led by senior leader CV Shanmugam, extended support to Vijay’s TVK government. The three MLAs who resigned were considered part of the party’s rebel faction.
Maragatham Kumaravel won from Maduranthakam, P Sathyabama from Dharapuram, and S Jayakumar from Perundurai on AIADMK tickets. Dharapuram and Perundurai are known as AIADMK strongholds in western Tamil Nadu’s Kongu region, while Maduranthakam is located near Chennai.
Meeting With TVK Leaders
Soon after resigning, the three MLAs met TVK Minister Aadhav Arjuna at his office. They are expected to officially join Chief Minister Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. The MLAs were also among the 25 legislators who voted in support of the TVK government during the May 13 floor test, going against the AIADMK party whip.
AIADMK Gets Some Relief
At the same time, five AIADMK MLAs who were earlier supporting the Shanmugam-Velumani camp have returned to party chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s side. With their return, the number of MLAs backing Palaniswami in the Assembly has increased to 27. One of the leaders who returned was SM Sukumar from Arcot.
Rebel Group Strength Reduced
After the resignation of three MLAs and the return of five legislators to the Palaniswami camp, the strength of the rebel faction has now come down from 25 MLAs to 17. The latest political developments have intensified the power struggle within AIADMK while strengthening TVK’s position in Tamil Nadu politics.



