Tamil Nadu politics has entered a dramatic new phase after a faction of the AIADMK, led by CV Shanmugam and SP Velumani, announced support for the ruling coalition headed by Chief Minister Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
The move has triggered fresh tension inside the AIADMK and raised questions about the party’s future direction.
The faction leaders are expected to meet Vijay, signalling a possible shift in political alignments after the recent Assembly election results.
CV Shanmugam Explains the Decision
CV Shanmugam said the decision was influenced by the AIADMK’s repeated electoral setbacks over the past decade.
He pointed out that the party had suffered multiple defeats, including losses against its long-time rival, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and most recently against the TVK.
According to Shanmugam, the AIADMK must now focus on revival and internal rebuilding. He said the party needs serious discussion about its future instead of continuing with strategies that have failed to restore its strength.
He also criticized AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, commonly known as EPS, over reports that the party leadership had considered an alliance with the DMK to prevent the TVK from forming the government.
Faction Rejects Any AIADMK-DMK Alliance
Shanmugam strongly opposed any possibility of an AIADMK-DMK arrangement. He said the AIADMK was founded against the DMK and had built its political identity over 53 years through opposition to the party.
He argued that forming a government with DMK support would damage the AIADMK’s identity and weaken its existence.
According to him, such a move would be unacceptable to party workers and supporters who have long viewed the DMK as the AIADMK’s principal rival.
The faction said that since the AIADMK currently stands without a strong alliance, the priority should be strengthening the party and rebuilding public trust.
Support for TVK Creates Internal Tension
The announcement of support for TVK has created a fresh challenge for EPS and the AIADMK’s central leadership. Earlier, EPS had reportedly rejected calls from the rebel group to back Vijay’s party.
Despite the political tension, Shanmugam insisted that the move should not be seen as an attempt to split the AIADMK.
SP Velumani also said the faction was not breaking away from the party and would wait for the general secretary to take the “right” decision for the AIADMK’s future.
However, the development has clearly exposed divisions within the party over its post-election strategy.
Call to End BJP Alliance
The rebel faction also passed a resolution urging the AIADMK to cut ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party. EPS had allied with the BJP before the 2026 Assembly election in an effort to improve the party’s position.
The Shanmugam-Velumani group appears to believe that the BJP alliance has not helped the AIADMK regain power and may have created further political complications.
EPS Camp Holds Emergency Talks
Following the announcement, another group of AIADMK leaders believed to be loyal to EPS rushed to meet him at his residence. Leaders such as KP Munusamy and Thambidurai were reportedly involved in efforts to assess the situation and control the fallout.
The latest drama comes after earlier reports that some AIADMK legislators had gathered at a Puducherry resort amid demands that EPS support the TVK. EPS loyalists dismissed rebellion claims at the time and said the move was aimed at preventing political poaching.
TVK’s Coalition Numbers
Vijay’s TVK emerged as the biggest force in the election with 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, falling short of the majority mark by 10 seats.
The Congress reportedly extended support with five seats, while additional backing from Left parties and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi helped the TVK cross the majority line.
However, the coalition’s stability remains a key political question because several supporting parties have long-standing links with the DMK.
Conclusion
The AIADMK faction’s decision to support Vijay’s TVK coalition marks a significant moment in Tamil Nadu politics. While Shanmugam and Velumani insist they are not splitting the party, their move has deepened the internal crisis facing EPS.
The development also highlights the AIADMK’s larger struggle: whether to rebuild independently, continue existing alliances, or adjust to the rise of TVK as a powerful new force in the state.
For now, Tamil Nadu’s political landscape appears headed for more uncertainty and intense negotiation.