A splinter faction of the AIADMK, led by senior leader C V Shanmugam, has pledged support to actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for government formation in Tamil Nadu ahead of a key floor test. This move follows TVK’s strong debut in the recent assembly elections, positioning it as the frontrunner amid fractured mandates.
Tamil Nadu Politics: Shanmugam Explains AIADMK Split and DMK Rejection
Shanmugam emphasized AIADMK’s 53-year anti-DMK legacy, rejecting party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami’s overtures for a DMK alliance that could “cease to exist” the party. Internal rifts deepened post-polls, with AIADMK winning only 47 of 167 contested seats, prompting MLAs to skip meetings and demand leadership changes favoring figures like S P Velumani. Now alliance-free after parting with BJP, the faction prioritizes party revival while backing victorious TVK.
TVK Government Formation: Implications of AIADMK Support Amid Cracks
This endorsement bolsters TVK’s coalition as Vijay eyes stability after oath-taking ceremonies revealed AIADMK divisions, with legislators seated separately. Dissenting voices, including former leader K C Palanisamy, warn of further MLAs crossing over if Palaniswami persists, reshaping Tamil Nadu’s binary politics. The development underscores post-poll realignments, sidelining DMK and NDA amid seat-sharing failures from earlier talks.
