Chennai, May 12, 2026: In a significant political development that deepens the rift within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), a rebel faction led by senior leaders C. Ve. Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani on Tuesday declared its support for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government headed by Chief Minister Vijay.
The faction, claiming the backing of around 30 of the party’s 47 MLAs, stated that the AIADMK is no longer part of any pre-poll alliance and has decided to extend outside support to the TVK administration, accepting the people’s mandate from the April 23 Assembly elections.
Strong Opposition to DMK Alliance
Addressing the media, former minister C. Ve. Shanmugam sharply criticised AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), alleging that he had proposed forming a government with the support of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) — the party’s traditional rival. Shanmugam described the move as a “shock” that could lead to the “disappearance” of the AIADMK, which was founded on an anti-DMK plank and has maintained that stance for 53 years.
“We are not in alliance with any party except the TVK. A new alliance has to be formed. Accepting the verdict of the people, the AIADMK legislative party has decided to extend its support to the TVK government,” Shanmugam said.
The group also announced that S.P. Velumani has been elected as the AIADMK floor leader in the Assembly, with other appointments like a whip to follow. Shanmugam emphasised the need for introspection following the party’s repeated electoral setbacks and stressed that there was no intention to split the AIADMK.
Context of the Split
TVK, in its debut election, emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, falling short of the 118-seat majority. It formed the government with outside support from allies and independents. The backing from the Shanmugam-led faction is expected to provide crucial stability to Vijay’s minority government, particularly ahead of the trust vote.
Palaniswami’s camp, which retains the loyalty of the remaining MLAs (around 17), has condemned the move as a betrayal. The public split highlights deep internal divisions within the AIADMK following its poor performance in the polls, where it won only 47 seats.
This development marks a major realignment in Tamil Nadu politics, further weakening the opposition and bolstering the fledgling TVK administration as it begins its term. The faction leaders are expected to meet Chief Minister Vijay later today to formally submit their letter of support.
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