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After TN elections, AIADMK is staring at leadership crisis with one group supporting CV Shanmugam and the other with EPS. Is this the first such split in the party? News18 explains
CV Shanmugam and Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS)
A major leadership crisis has erupted within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) following the party’s poor performance in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. A faction led by senior leader and former minister C.V. Shanmugam is demanding that General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) step down immediately, say reports.
Is this the first such split in the party? News18 explains.
THE HISTORY OF AIADMK SPLITS
The history of AIADMK is marked by two major splits, each occurring after the death of a dominant leader. Founded in 1972 as a breakaway from the DMK, the party has struggled with succession crises.
1. The Post-MGR Split (1987–1989)
Following the death of founder MG Ramachandran (MGR) in December 1987, the party split into two factions over who should succeed him.
Janaki Faction (AIADMK-JR): Led by MGR’s wife, V.N. Janaki. She served as Chief Minister for only 22 days before her government was dismissed.
Jayalalithaa Faction (AIADMK-JL): Led by J. Jayalalithaa, who claimed MGR’s political legacy.
After a crushing defeat in the 1989 elections (where they contested under different symbols), Janaki retired, and the factions merged under Jayalalithaa’s leadership.
2. The Post-Jayalalithaa Split (2016–2017)
The death of J. Jayalalithaa in December 2016 triggered a complex multi-way power struggle. O. Panneerselvam (OPS) initially took over as CM but later revolted against V.K. Sasikala (Jayalalithaa’s close aide), who sought the leadership. In August 2017, the factions led by OPS and Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) merged to sideline Sasikala and her nephew T.T.V. Dhinakaran.
The party adopted a “dual leadership” model with OPS as Coordinator and EPS as Joint Coordinator.
EPS vs. OPS Schism (2022–Present)
The dual leadership model collapsed in June 2022 as EPS moved to establish “single leadership”:
Expulsion of OPS: EPS was elected General Secretary, and OPS was expelled from the party.
What happened in 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections?
The AIADMK won only 47 out of 234 seats in the April 2026 polls, a significant drop from the 75 seats it held previously. The party slipped to third place in many constituencies, losing its status as the principal opposition to actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which won 108 seats.
Dissidents cite four consecutive electoral defeats under EPS (2019, 2021, 2024, and 2026) as proof that his leadership is no longer viable. The rebellion led by C.V. Shanmugam has significantly destabilised the party’s internal structure. Approximately 36 newly elected MLAs are reportedly backing Shanmugam. More than 30 MLAs sequestered themselves at a resort in Puducherry last week to discuss their future, independent of the party headquarters, according to reports.
The faction wants Shanmugam elected as the Leader of the AIADMK Legislature Party and has openly criticised EPS for making “unilateral decisions” that led to the poll rout.
Rebel leaders, including Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani, have reportedly held backchannel talks with the TVK camp about a post-poll alliance. While Shanmugam’s faction favors supporting the newly formed TVK government (led by CM Vijay), EPS has dismissed reports of a split and is attempting to keep the party united under his control.
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