Tamil Nadu News | AIADMK Crisis Deepens As MLAs Quit, Joins TVK, Defection Row Explodes

Political turmoil within All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has intensified after multiple MLAs resigned amid growing internal divisions following the party’s 2026 Assembly election defeat in Tamil Nadu. Three MLAs from the camp led by senior AIADMK leaders C. V. Shanmugam and S. P. Velumani resigned from the Assembly, with another MLA later submitting his resignation as well. The developments have widened the rift within the party led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami. The resignations have also sparked a legal and political battle after AIADMK leaders questioned how the Speaker accepted the resignations while anti-defection proceedings against the MLAs were allegedly pending. Party leaders say they are exploring legal options against the Speaker’s move. The crisis comes at a time when the AIADMK is grappling with repeated electoral setbacks since the death of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, with some rebel leaders now openly backing the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and questioning EPS’s leadership within the party.