A faction of more than 30 AIADMK legislators has split from the party to support Chief Minister Vijay and his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government [1].
This rupture threatens the stability of the existing political alignments in Tamil Nadu and could fundamentally alter the outcome of the upcoming floor test. The defection occurs at a critical juncture following the May 2026 election results [2].
The rebel group is led by C.V. Shanmugham, S.P. Velumani, and M.R. Vijay Bhaskar [1]. These legislators said they have severed all alliance ties with the BJP and explicitly rejected any potential alignment with the DMK [1, 2]. Instead, the group has pledged its support to the government led by Vijay [1].
The split comes as the state prepares for a scheduled floor test to determine the legitimacy and majority of the current administration [1, 2]. By breaking away from the AIADMK, these legislators have shifted a significant bloc of votes toward the TVK, potentially securing the Chief Minister's position in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly [1].
S.P. Velumani has been named the legislative party leader of the rebel group [1]. The group said they prefer to back the TVK government over the previous strategic partnerships that defined the AIADMK's recent political trajectory [1, 2].
The AIADMK now faces a historic internal crisis as it attempts to navigate the loss of these members. The departure of more than 30 MLAs [1] represents a substantial blow to the party's legislative strength and its ability to act as a cohesive opposition or coalition partner in Chennai.
“A faction of more than 30 AIADMK legislators has split from the party.”
The defection of a large bloc of AIADMK MLAs to the TVK government suggests a realignment of power in Tamil Nadu. By rejecting both the BJP and DMK, the rebel faction is helping to consolidate Chief Minister Vijay's authority and may diminish the AIADMK's role as a primary political force in the state.
