Fresh signs of internal unrest have surfaced within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam after the party’s poor performance in the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2026, with a section of MLAs and former ministers reportedly demanding that party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami step down from the leadership position.
According to sources within the party, dissatisfaction against Palaniswami, popularly known as EPS, has intensified after what many leaders described as a series of repeated electoral setbacks that have weakened the morale and organisational confidence of the AIADMK cadre across Tamil Nadu.
Sources said several MLAs associated with senior AIADMK leader CV Shanmugam, along with multiple former ministers, have privately communicated to EPS that they no longer wish to continue under his leadership after four consecutive electoral defeats suffered by the party in recent years.
Party insiders claimed that many leaders believe the AIADMK has steadily lost political ground under the current leadership and that confusion over alliances, strategy, and the party’s ideological direction has further damaged its position in Tamil Nadu politics.
Despite the mounting pressure, sources indicated that EPS is currently unwilling to resign or relinquish control of the party organisation.
The latest tension within the AIADMK has emerged at a politically sensitive moment, especially as speculation continues over a possible future understanding between the AIADMK and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, the party launched by actor-turned-politician Vijay.
The growing buzz around a potential alliance with TVK has reportedly created unease within sections of the AIADMK leadership, with differing opinions emerging over whether the party should align with Vijay’s rapidly rising political force or attempt to rebuild independently.
TVK dramatically reshaped Tamil Nadu politics during the Assembly election held on April 23, making a sensational electoral debut by winning 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly.
Although the party initially fell short of the majority mark by 10 seats, Vijay later secured support from smaller parties, including Left parties, the VC, K, and IUML, allowing TVK to cross the majority threshold and form the government.
Following intense negotiations lasting several days, Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu during a high-profile ceremony attended by political leaders, celebrities, es and alliance partners.
The election result significantly altered the traditional political landscape of Tamil Nadu, where the AIADMK and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam had dominated politics for decades.
In the final tally, the DMK was reduced to 59 seats, while the AIADMK managed only 47 seats, marking one of the party’s weakest performances in recent electoral history.
Amid the uncertainty surrounding government formation last week, more than 30 AIADMK MLAs, including CV Shanmugam, reportedly stayed at a resort in Puducherry as political discussions intensified regarding possible future alignments.
Sources claimed the resort meeting reflected growing internal anxiety within the AIADMK camp, especially over fears of defections, political isolation, and the possibility of leaders shifting toward the Vijay-led political bloc.
EPS later visited the resort personally in an effort to maintain unity among MLAs and prevent divisions from widening further.
At the same time, reports also emerged suggesting that the DMK had initiated informal backchannel communication with sections of the AIADMK leadership.
These developments reportedly created additional friction within the party, particularly among leaders who strongly opposed any possibility of engagement with the DMK.
Sources said CV Shanmugam was especially upset over reports of possible communication channels being opened with the DMK leadership and subsequently became more inclined toward exploring political cooperation with the TVK-led dispensation.
The developments have now triggered fresh speculation over the future direction of the AIADMK, the possibility of factional division,s and the larger reshaping of opposition politics in Tamil Nadu following TVK’s rapid rise to power.
