Tamil Nadu's main opposition party, AIADMK, is facing its worst internal crisis in years. The party's legislators are divided over whether to back the new ruling party or stay distant. A growing number of voices have been demanding that the party's leader, general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), step down, over the poor performance.
The party contested 167 of 234 seats but won only 47, which meant one of its worst results since the death of founder-leader J Jayalalithaa in 2016. Its main ally, the Centre's ruling BJP, won one seat, while the total for the alliance was just 53.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats and has since formed the government, with Vijay sworn in as chief minister.
Split over TVK, a section of the AIADMK reportedly opposed offering any support to the TVK, while another favoured giving outside support to the Vijay-led administration. Outside support would mean stability for the regime but no AIADMK role or responsibility in the ministry.
As many as 28 AIADMK MLAs held a closed-door meeting in Chennai, formally urging EPS to extend support to the TVK government. Some AIADMK MLAs had spent three days at a resort in Puducherry before returning to the city.
Former AIADMK leader KC Palanisamy told PTI: “There is a clear split within the party. Many MLAs want a change in leadership. If Palaniswami continues as a leader, there is a possibility of some MLAs extending support to the TVK.”
