3 AIADMK MLAs resign, join TVK in major Tamil Nadu shift
Three AIADMK MLAs—Madurantakam’s Maragatham Kumaravel, Dharapuram’s Sathyabama, and Perundurai’s Jayakumar—resigned from Tamil Nadu’s Legislative Assembly on Monday and joined the ruling TVK, reshaping the state’s political dynamics. Their move follows a period of coalition negotiations and internal AIADMK factional tensions, raising the possibility of by-elections in four constituencies, including Tiruchy East, where Chief Minister Joseph Vijay had already vacated his seat.
Three All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) legislators—Madurantakam MLA Maragatham Kumaravel, Dharapuram MLA Sathyabama, and Perundurai MLA Jayakumar—submitted their resignations to Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar on Monday before formally joining the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Their defection marks a significant shift in the state’s post-election political landscape, where TVK currently governs with external support from parties like the Indian National Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). The move intensifies speculation about further defections, as the three MLAs were reportedly aligned with AIADMK’s CV Shanmugam and SP Velumani faction, which had earlier signaled openness to supporting TVK. However, the Velumani-led group was not included in the cabinet, leaving room for additional political realignments. Reconciliation talks between Velumani’s faction and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami are underway to stabilize the party. With these resignations, Tamil Nadu now faces four vacant Assembly seats: Madurantakam, Dharapuram, Perundurai, and Tiruchy East, where Chief Minister Joseph Vijay had already vacated his seat. The vacancies could trigger by-elections, further complicating the legislative arithmetic. Political observers are watching closely to see if more AIADMK MLAs from the Velumani-Shanmugam camp follow suit, potentially altering the balance of power in the Assembly. TVK’s government, formed after securing 107 seats in the election, initially fell short of the 118-seat majority required to govern independently. The defections and coalition support have since bolstered its position, but the fluid political environment remains volatile. The resignations also highlight the ongoing internal struggles within AIADMK, where factional divisions continue to influence state politics. The developments come as Tamil Nadu’s political landscape remains unpredictable, with both AIADMK and TVK navigating shifting alliances and internal dynamics. The next few weeks will be critical in determining whether further defections occur or if reconciliation efforts within AIADMK succeed in stabilizing the party.
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