CHENNAI: There is fresh turmoil in AIADMK with a major revolt brewing against party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami following the party’s string of electoral setbacks. Former minister C Ve Shanmugam is leading the rebellion backed by 36 newly elected MLAs, bringing the simmering rift within the party into the open. The dissident camp accused Palaniswami of taking “unilateral decisions” ahead of the 2026 assembly election and acting in his personal interest rather than safeguarding the future of the party. The revolt comes at a politically sensitive moment when govt formation in Tamil Nadu was uncertain after a fractured verdict. According to sources, Shanmugam, along with former minister S P Velumani, had held discussions with the TVK camp over a possible post-poll alliance when the party appeared short of a majority. Palaniswami was allegedly pursuing a different strategy then by exploring a tie-up with DMK. “Palaniswami is not taking decisions for the welfare of AIADMK but for his self-interest. We are convening a press meet tomorrow to announce our decision,” said a senior leader close to Shanmugam. Palaniswami held a one-hour meeting with party MLAs after their return to Chennai from a Puducherry resort. Soon after, he posted a message on X congratulating “a party that will form the govt,” amid reports that efforts to secure DMK support had failed. Soon after the meeting, Shanmugam and 35 MLAs gathered at his residence to deliberate on their next course of action. Sources indicated that the rebel camp was preparing to support Vijay during the upcoming vote of confidence, a move aimed at establishing themselves as the “real AIADMK” in the assembly. Shanmugam is said to be eyeing the post of AIADMK legislature party leader. Sources further said during discussions with allies including CPI, CPM and VCK, DMK president M K Stalin had floated the possibility of supporting an AIADMK-led govt, which allies agreed to consider. “Shanmugam blamed EPS for attempting to betray the voters who trusted AIADMK by seeking DMK support through Udhayanidhi Stalin. He failed to own up to the party’s defeat, which pushed us to a third-place finish,” a source said. Efforts by senior leaders, including former minister Thalavai N Sundaram, to pacify the rebels failed. Former ministers R B Udhayakumar and K P Munusamy later visited Shanmugam’s residence amid hectic negotiations. Political analyst Priyan Srinivasan said the rebellion was not unexpected, arguing that Palaniswami had failed to revive and strengthen the party after successive setbacks. He warned that the revolt could intensify into a larger power struggle during the AIADMK general council meeting, posing a serious threat to the party’s political future.
