AIADMK Rift Deepens as Rival Factions Battle Over Assembly Whip

The internal rift within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam escalated on Saturday as rival factions sought recognition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, prompting Speaker JCD Prabhakar to withhold a decision on appointing the party whip.

The crisis follows the AIADMK’s heavy defeat in the April 23 Assembly elections , which triggered a power struggle between party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and a breakaway faction led by senior leaders C Ve Shanmugam and SP Velumani .

“I have received petitions from both groups. I will take an appropriate decision at the right time,” Prabhakar said after both camps urged him to recognise their nominees as AIADMK whip in the Assembly.

The dispute intensified after the confidence motion won on May 13 by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay . Both factions accused each other of cross-voting and sought action against rival MLAs.

The Palaniswami camp demanded recognition of him as floor leader and appointment of N Thalavai Sundaram as whip. Rebel leaders, including former ministers K P Anbazhagan and C Vijayabaskar , claimed Vijayabaskar was the authorised whip and had directed MLAs to support the government.

The political battle also spilled onto the streets in Villupuram , Shanmugam’s stronghold, where supporters of both factions clashed outside the AIADMK office, forcing police intervention.

Amid the growing rebellion, Palaniswami removed several district secretaries accused of backing the dissident camp, further deepening the party’s internal crisis.