Chennai, May 12, 2026: In a significant political development that could bolster the stability of the nascent Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government, actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay met with a group of rebel AIADMK leaders on Tuesday. The meeting comes amid growing internal turmoil in the AIADMK, with senior leader C.V. Shanmugam openly declaring readiness to back Vijay’s administration.
Vijay’s TVK emerged as the single largest party in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, securing 108 seats — just short of the 118 required for a majority. After post-poll alliances with Congress, the Left parties, and the VCK, Vijay was sworn in as Chief Minister. However, the government faces an imminent floor test, making external support crucial for its survival.
Rebel Faction Gains Momentum
The rebel faction, led by former Law Minister C.V. Shanmugam and former Minister S.P. Velumani, along with other prominent figures including C. Vijayabhaskar, reportedly commands the loyalty of nearly 30 of AIADMK’s 47 MLAs. During the meeting with Vijay, the leaders expressed their willingness to extend support to the TVK-led government.
Speaking to the media, Shanmugam sharply criticised AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), accusing him of attempting to align with the rival DMK to form a government — a move he described as “unacceptable” and against the party’s core anti-DMK ideology. Shanmugam emphasised the need to revive the AIADMK after successive electoral setbacks and demanded that EPS immediately convene a general council meeting.
The rebels have also signalled a shift away from the NDA alliance with the BJP, while insisting that they are not seeking a formal split in the party but rather a course correction to protect its interests.
Deepening Crisis in AIADMK
The development has intensified the leadership crisis within the AIADMK. EPS loyalists have held parallel meetings to consolidate their position, but the rebel group claims majority backing among both MLAs and district-level functionaries.
Political observers view this realignment as a potential game-changer in Tamil Nadu politics. Support from the AIADMK rebels would comfortably push the TVK government past the majority mark, reducing immediate threats of instability.
This episode marks yet another chapter in the rapidly evolving political landscape of Tamil Nadu, where the traditional Dravidian duopoly of DMK and AIADMK is facing unprecedented disruption following the impressive debut of Vijay’s TVK.
Further developments are expected in the coming hours, including the government’s floor test and any official response from the EPS camp.
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