AIADMK Rift Deepens After Floor Test, Rival Factions Seek Disqualification of MLAs

The AIADMK’s internal crisis escalated sharply on Thursday as rival factions led by Edappadi K Palaniswami and senior leaders C Ve Shanmugam and SP Velumani staked competing claims over party authority following a floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly that exposed a widening split.

The turmoil began after 25 AIADMK MLAs from the Shanmugam-Velumani camp allegedly cross-voted in favour of the TVK government led by C Joseph Vijay , strengthening the ruling side in the 234-member House. Palaniswami’s faction said MLAs were bound by the official whip to vote against the government, while the rival group claimed its instructions reflected the majority view within the legislature party.

Following the vote, Palaniswami removed several rebel leaders including Shanmugam, Velumani, R Kamaraj, C Vijayabaskar and Natham R Viswanathan from party posts. His camp also moved the Assembly Speaker seeking disqualification of rebel MLAs under the anti-defection law , citing violation of the party whip issued by officially appointed whip Agri S Krishnamurthy.

In response, the Shanmugam-Velumani faction submitted a counter-claim, asserting that legislature party strength rests with their 25 MLAs , and that instructions issued by their whip C Vijayabaskar were binding. They sought disqualification of Palaniswami and 22 supporting MLAs for defying their directive and maintaining that majority must decide leadership within the legislature party.

The rebel camp also demanded a General Council meeting , calling Palaniswami’s expulsions and organisational changes “invalid” and accusing him of unilateral decision-making and weakening the party. They urged the reinstatement of expelled leaders, including TTV Dhinakaran and VK Sasikala.

Amid the escalating dispute, heavy police security was deployed at AIADMK headquarters in Chennai , while cadres gathered at Palaniswami’s residence in support as he held meetings with loyal MLAs. Palaniswami’s supporters defended his authority, citing constitutional provisions and Supreme Court rulings that only recognised party leadership can appoint a whip, and insisting that rebel MLAs were liable for disqualification under the 10th Schedule .

With both factions claiming legitimacy and approaching the Speaker for action against each other, the AIADMK appears headed toward a formal vertical split , with legal and organisational battles now intensifying.