A day after the split in the AIADMK Legislature Party during the voting on the trust motion moved by the TVK government, both factions presented petitions to Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar on Thursday (May 14, 2026), claiming legitimacy and demanding that the petition filed by the other be rejected.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami and the rebel camp leaders — led by S.P. Velumani, C.Ve. Shanmugam, and C. Vijayabaskar — traded charges in a statement and at a press conference respectively.
‘Act of betrayal’
In a statement issued in the evening, Mr. Palaniswami called upon the party cadre to defeat the disgraceful actions of individuals who he alleged were eyeing posts. Pointing out that some AIADMK MLAs (25 in all) voted for the government, he said it was an act of “betrayal”.
However, Mr. Vijayabaskar said he was elected the AIADMK Legislature Party whip, and their representation sought the disqualification of 22 MLAs (who voted against the motion) for defection. He said Mr. Palaniswami and others defied what he called his “whip” issued for the vote held on Wednesday.
