A major shift in Tamil Nadu politics has occurred after the formation of the new government. AIADMK, once a unified force, has split into two factions. On May 13, one faction announced support for CM Vijay Thalapathi’s Tamilga Vetrik Kshagam (TVK) ahead of the floor test.
AIADMK Factions and Their Positions
According to PTI, AIADMK’s faction led by leaders Velumani and Shanmugam declared their support for TVK. Shanmugam explained that the AIADMK faction’s members would meet CM Vijay to offer their backing. Shanmugam also revealed that party leader Palaniswami wanted to form an alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to create a government.
Demand for Party Meeting to Resolve Issues
Meanwhile, AIADMK’s Velumani called for an immediate party meeting. He emphasized the need for a quick decision on the internal split. Shanmugam’s faction made it clear that they were not interested in any alliance with DMK, rejecting such proposals strongly.
Shanmugam’s Statement on TVK Support
Shanmugam reiterated his position by stating, “We accept the people’s mandate. The mandate is not for TVK, it’s for Vijay as CM.” He added, “We congratulate CM Vijay and offer our full support for the TVK government.”
Rejection of DMK Alliance
Shanmugam further explained the situation by saying, “We founded AIADMK against DMK 53 years ago. We’ve always opposed DMK.” He claimed that if AIADMK joined forces with DMK, it would lead to the party’s demise. He also stated that his faction rejected the proposal to form an alliance with DMK.
Future Focus on Rebuilding AIADMK
The faction led by Shanmugam also expressed its focus on reviving and strengthening AIADMK without forming any alliance. “Our priority is to rebuild and strengthen our party. Thus, we have decided to support TVK, which has secured victory,” he added.
TVK’s Success in Assembly Elections
In the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, TVK emerged as the largest party with 108 seats. However, it fell short by 10 seats from securing a majority. CM Vijay won two seats but will have to vacate one. Consequently, TVK’s seat count drops to 107. TVK’s coalition also includes Congress with five members, CPI, CPI(M), VCK, and IUML with two each, bringing the total coalition strength to 120.
Opposition Parties’ Seats in Tamil Nadu Elections
On the opposition side, DMK won 59 seats, while AIADMK secured 47 seats. Additionally, BJP won one seat in the election. This ongoing political development has set the stage for the floor test and the future direction of Tamil Nadu’s government.
