Chennai, May 27:
In a significant political development, the two rival factions within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) have reportedly reached a consensus to reunite after weeks of internal conflict following the Tamil Nadu Assembly developments. This move has come as a major relief to party cadres and supporters across the state.
After the elections, one faction led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) operated separately, while another group led by S. P. Velumani and C. V. Shanmugam functioned independently. The divide became more visible during the trust vote for the TVK-led government, where 25 MLAs from the Velumani–Shanmugam faction voted in support of the government, defying the party whip.
AIADMK, which had won 47 seats in total, faced internal instability as the party leadership initiated action under the anti-defection law against the rebel MLAs. The matter was to be decided by the Speaker, creating uncertainty over the political future of the dissenting members.
The situation intensified when four rebel MLAs resigned and joined the TVK, reducing the rebel faction’s strength to 21. In a crucial development, six MLAs from the rebel group later returned to EPS and requested the leadership to reconsider their actions, indicating a shift towards reconciliation.
Following this, intense discussions and late-night negotiations took place between the two factions. After hectic parleys, both sides finally arrived at a decision to reunite, signaling a major step towards restoring unity within the party.
Supporting this development, the party’s IT wing shared a strong message on social media, invoking the legacy of J. Jayalalithaa. The message emphasized that the party remains a strong and unshakable force built on the sacrifices of millions of cadres, and declared that there will be no more internal divisions.
The statement also highlighted the party’s ultimate goal—to return to power and hoist the iconic “Two Leaves” symbol once again. Political observers believe that this reunion could strengthen AIADMK’s position and help it present a united front in the evolving political landscape of Tamil Nadu.