Chennai: In a significant political development in Tamil Nadu, three Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) belonging to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) have resigned from their posts and officially joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the party led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. The trio, Maragatham Kumaravel (Madurantakam), S. Jayakumar (Perundurai), and P. Sathyabama (Dharapuram), submitted their resignation letters to the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, J.C.D. Prabhakar, on Monday, May 25, 2026. Their resignations have been accepted by the Speaker.
Political Realignment Amidst Party Divisions
Information available with The Chenab Times indicates that these MLAs were reportedly part of the S.P. Velumani faction within the AIADMK. Their decision to switch allegiance comes after they had previously voted in favour of the TVK government during a recent confidence motion. Following their resignation from the Assembly, the three former AIADMK legislators met with Minister Aadhav Arjuna and formally joined the TVK. Sources suggest that Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan, himself a former AIADMK leader, may have played a role in facilitating this move.
The defections have reduced the AIADMK’s strength in the 234-member Assembly from 47 to 44 MLAs. This development further exacerbates the internal divisions within the AIADMK, which is already split into two factions—one led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) and another aligned with S.P. Velumani. The shift of allegiance by these three MLAs, along with reports of five other MLAs from the rival Velumani camp switching their support to the EPS faction, has considerably weakened the Velumani group.
By-Elections on the Horizon
The resignations have created three new vacancies in the Assembly, prompting the Election Commission to likely announce by-elections for these seats, potentially simultaneously with the by-election for the Trichy East constituency, which was vacated by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay after he won from two constituencies. TVK sources indicate that the party leadership has assured the three defecting MLAs that they will be given tickets to contest from their respective constituencies in the upcoming by-elections. This move could bolster the TVK’s numbers in the Assembly, with speculation that if they win these seats, the TVK could potentially reach closer to the required majority mark.
The ruling TVK, led by Chief Minister Vijay, currently holds a significant number of seats in the Assembly. With the support of allied parties, the TVK government aims to solidify its position. This latest development in the state’s political landscape underscores the fluid nature of party loyalties and the continuous realignment of political forces in Tamil Nadu. The opposition AIADMK faces further challenges as it grapples with internal rifts and a dwindling legislative strength.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
