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Two AIADMK factions submit disqualification petitions with speaker
AIADMK factions filed petitions with the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker seeking disqualification of each other’s MLAs after a party split over supporting the TVK government. This followed a May 13 floor test where 25 MLAs backed TVK and 22 opposed. The move underscores the ongoing internal rift within AIADMK.
Why It Matters
The petitions reflect the continued internal fracturing of AIADMK and the use of disqualification proceedings to challenge opposing lawmakers, potentially affecting the assembly's balance of power.
Timeline
4 Events
Petition to disqualify 22 MLAs backing Palaniswami
May 14, 2026
The rival faction also met the Speaker and sought action to disqualify 22 MLAs backing the Palaniswami camp, seeking to disqualify members for anti-party activities following the split.
Petition to Speaker and Governor seeking disqualification of 25 MLAs
May 14, 2026
A delegation led by senior AIADMK leader K P Munusamy, from the Palaniswami faction, met Speaker JCD Prabhakar and later visited Lok Bhavan, seeking disqualification of 25 MLAs aligned with Shanmugham and Velumani. The petition was also addressed to the Governor.
AIADMK floor test in Tamil Nadu Assembly
May 13, 2026
During the floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, 25 MLAs from the Shanmugham faction voted in favor of the TVK government, while 22 MLAs from the Palaniswami faction opposed it. Vijayabhaskar claimed he was the officially recognised party whip and said action would be sought against the 22 MLAs for defying the whip. Shanmugham had earlier claimed majority support and had convened a legislature party meeting where Velumani was elected the legislature party leader and Vijayabhaskar was appointed whip.
Differences within AIADMK surface; Velumani calls for general council meeting
May 5, 2026
Velumani stated that differences within the AIADMK surfaced on May 5. He demanded that Palaniswami, as general secretary, convene a general council meeting to discuss the party's electoral defeat and reasons behind it, noting that differences had emerged after the split.