AIADMK is already deeply divided into two warring factions, one led by EPS and the other aligned with Velumani. The three MLAs moving to TVK, and the shifting of allegiance of five MLAs to the EPS camp, have severely weakened the Velumani group. File PTI photo
Big blow for AIADMK as 3 leaders quit as MLAs to join Vijay's TVK
The defections trigger upcoming by-polls in four constituencies, while a simultaneous internal rebellion within AIADMK severely dismantles SP Velumani faction
In yet another major setback for the AIADMK, three of its sitting MLAs on Monday (May 25) resigned from the Tamil Nadu Assembly and formally joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
The MLAs who submitted their resignation letters to Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar are: Maragatham Kumaravel (Madurantakam), S Jayakumar (Perundurai) and P Sathyabama (Dharapuram).
All three were known to be part of the SP Velumani faction of the AIADMK. They had voted in favour of the TVK government during the recent confidence motion in the Assembly.
Soon after resigning, the three former AIADMK legislators met minister Aadhav Arjuna and officially joined the TVK. Sources indicated that minister KA Sengottaiyan, himself a former AIADMK leader, may have played a key role in facilitating the move.
Arjuna welcomed the new members, stating, “TVK is one family. All of us will travel together as one family.”
By-polls in the offing
In a media interaction after joining TVK, Sathyabama praised the fledgling TVK administration, saying, “Vijay is running the government in the image of Amma (Jayalalithaa). For the past 15 days, an excellent administration is taking place.”
TVK sources said that the party leadership has reportedly assured the three MLAs that they will be given the party ticket to contest in the upcoming by-elections from their respective constituencies. As is, Vijay has resigned from his Trichy East seat, retaining the seat in Perambur, Chennai. With the three fresh vacancies, the Election Commission is now expected to notify by-elections for four Assembly constituencies simultaneously.
Compounding the crisis for the Velumani’s camp, five MLAs who were previously his staunch supporters have now switched their allegiance to AIADMK supremo Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS). This internal shift has come as another big jolt to the Velumani faction.
Impact on AIADMK
The exits have reduced the AIADMK’s strength in the 234-member Assembly from 47 to 44. The party is already deeply divided into two warring factions, one led by EPS and the other aligned with Velumani.
The two developments, the exit of three MLAs, moving to TVK, and the shifting of allegiance of five MLAs to the EPS camp, have severely weakened the Velumani group.
EPS faction MLAs reportedly met Speaker Prabhakar and urged him to initiate action against the three defectors under the anti-defection law (10th Schedule of the Constitution). With both the two AIADMK factions alternately submitting petitions claiming leadership, the Speaker has yet to officially announce the Leader of the AIADMK Legislative Party and the AIADMK whip. This uncertainty adds to the ongoing chaos within the party.
AIADMK, once a dominant force in Tamil Nadu politics founded by MG Ramachandran and later led by J Jayalalithaa, has been struggling with internal divisions since Jayalalithaa’s death in 2016.
The party has seen multiple splits, notably between EPS and O Panneerselvam (OPS), and more recently between the EPS and SP Velumani groups.
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