AIADMK holds crucial meeting amid rebellion rumours

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leadership held a key meeting in Chennai amid reports of internal revolt after its poor election performance. Speculation intensified over several MLAs possibly backing Vijay and the future of Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s leadership

Chennai: The AIADMK leadership is holding a crucial meeting of district secretaries in Chennai on Sunday amid growing speculation of a revolt within the party following its poor performance in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and reports that several MLAs may extend support to the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

The meeting assumes significance as political circles remain abuzz with reports that several senior AIADMK leaders and MLAs are unhappy with the leadership of party General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) after the party suffered a sharp decline in the elections.

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The AIADMK, which had won 66 seats in 2021, was reduced to just 47 seats this time and slipped to the third position in the Assembly, also losing the status of the principal opposition party.

The electoral setback triggered intense discussions within the party, with many leaders questioning the alliance strategy and campaign decisions.

Several AIADMK candidates reportedly even lost their deposits in their constituencies, adding to the embarrassment for the party leadership. Amid the uncertainty, reports emerged that attempts were being made by rival political camps to woo AIADMK MLAs. This reportedly prompted EPS to shift party legislators to a private resort in Puducherry in an effort to prevent defections and maintain unity within the legislative party.

The political developments coincided with TVK chief Vijay holding discussions with alliance partners and independent legislators after emerging as the single largest political force in the state. At one stage, rumours spread rapidly in political circles that the DMK might support an AIADMK-led arrangement with EPS returning as Chief Minister. However, there was no further progress on such discussions.

On Saturday morning, all AIADMK MLAs staying in Puducherry arrived at EPS’s residence on Greenways Road in Chennai for a high-level consultation. Senior leaders, including former ministers S.P. Velumani and C.V. Shanmugam, attended the meeting. Sources said heated exchanges took place during the discussions, with some legislators openly criticising the leadership over the election defeat.

In a dramatic development later in the day, a separate meeting of AIADMK MLAs reportedly took place at the residence of Shanmugam in Raja Annamalaipuram. Around 37 MLAs, including S.P. Velumani, Natham Viswanathan, Leema Rose, Thalavai Sundaram, and C. Vijayabaskar, are believed to have participated.

Political sources claimed that the group discussed the possibility of supporting Vijay-led TVK, which has already crossed the majority mark with the backing of Congress, the Left parties, the VCK, and the IUML. There were claims that more than two-thirds of AIADMK’s MLAs may be preparing to back the TVK. Under the anti-defection law, legislators representing two-thirds of a legislature party can avoid disqualification if they support a split or merger. This has fuelled speculation that the rebel faction may attempt to project itself as the “real AIADMK”. Political observers believe the outcome of today’s district secretaries meeting could determine the future course of the AIADMK and potentially reshape Tamil Nadu politics in the coming days.