AIADMK merger: TN Speaker to rule on faction unity today
Synopsis
Fourteen rebel AIADMK MLAs submitted apology letters to EPS, both factions jointly visited the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker's office, and the Speaker is now set to rule on formal merger — but senior leader C.V. Shanmugam's no-show before the Speaker has left the reunification with a conspicuous loose end.
Key Takeaways
Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J.C.D.
Prabhakar is expected to rule on the AIADMK faction merger on 28 May 2025 .
14 MLAs from the Velumani camp met EPS in Chennai , submitted apology letters, and requested restoration of party posts.
Both factions jointly withdrew disqualification petitions and submitted fresh representations naming Edappadi K.
Palaniswami as AIADMK Legislature Party leader and Agri Krishnamoorthy as party whip.
The Velumani group also formally withdrew support to the TVK -led government of Chief Minister C.
Shanmugam did not appear before the Speaker in person; his political status within the reunified party remains uncertain.
Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar is set to deliver a ruling on Thursday, 28 May on the proposed merger of the two rival factions of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), after leaders from both camps formally withdrew their mutual disqualification petitions and submitted fresh representations asserting party unity. The decision could reshape the opposition landscape in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Key Developments
The breakthrough followed intensive reconciliation talks between the faction led by AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) and the group aligned with senior leader S.P. Velumani. In a significant gesture, 14 MLAs from the Velumani camp travelled from the residence of C.V. Shanmugam to meet EPS in Chennai, submitting apology letters and requesting restoration of party posts that had been revoked following the earlier split.
Shortly after the meeting with EPS, Velumani and the legislators called on Speaker Prabhakar and formally submitted a letter withdrawing their support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government headed by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.
What Was Submitted to the Speaker
Leaders from both factions later made a joint visit to the Speaker's office — a visible signal of formal reunification. They withdrew earlier petitions concerning the appointment of the party whip and informed the Speaker that they were now operating as a unified bloc. Fresh representations were submitted seeking recognition of Edappadi K. Palaniswami as the leader of the AIADMK Legislature Party and the appointment of Agri Krishnamoorthy as the party whip in the Assembly.
Speaker Prabhakar personally read out the names of the MLAs who had submitted petitions and verified their physical presence one by one, according to reports.
The Shanmugam Question
Despite the apparent truce, uncertainty persists over the political future of senior leader C.V. Shanmugam. He reportedly did not appear before the Speaker in person, and it remains unclear whether his petition was formally accepted. According to reports, Shanmugam initially declined to meet EPS and was persuaded to join the discussions by senior leader P. Thangamani. He is currently consulting supporters at his Chennai residence, with growing differences within sections of the AIADMK over his possible re-entry into the EPS camp.
What the Speaker Said
Speaking to reporters, Speaker Prabhakar confirmed that both factions had requested withdrawal of the disqualification petitions filed during the recent political crisis. He said he would examine all submitted documents before making an official announcement, signalling a measured and procedurally careful approach to the politically sensitive matter.
What Happens Next
The Speaker's ruling is expected to formally consolidate the AIADMK's legislative identity under EPS's leadership, strengthening the party's position as the principal opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. However, the unresolved status of Shanmugam's participation could yet introduce complications into what appears, on the surface, to be a clean reunification.
Point of View
But the AIADMK's reunification story has a structural crack: C.V. Shanmugam's conspicuous absence before the Speaker. A merger that cannot account for all its signatories is not yet a merger — it is a majority statement. The EPS camp has secured the numbers it needs for legislative recognition, but if Shanmugam remains outside the fold, the party risks a residual faction problem that could resurface at the next electoral stress point. More broadly, the withdrawal of support from the TVK government signals that the reunified AIADMK intends to sharpen its opposition posture — a dynamic that will test Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's floor management sooner rather than later.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AIADMK merger case before the Tamil Nadu Speaker?
The Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar is ruling on whether the two rival AIADMK factions — led by General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami and senior leader S.P. Velumani respectively — have formally reunited. Both camps withdrew mutual disqualification petitions and submitted joint representations on 28 May 2025 asserting they are now a single party unit.
Who are the key figures in the AIADMK reunification?
The principal figures are AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), senior leader S.P. Velumani, and senior leader C.V. Shanmugam. Fourteen MLAs from the Velumani camp submitted apology letters to EPS, while Shanmugam's position remains uncertain after he reportedly did not appear before the Speaker in person.
What did the rebel MLAs submit to the Speaker?
The MLAs submitted fresh representations seeking recognition of Edappadi K. Palaniswami as the AIADMK Legislature Party leader and the appointment of Agri Krishnamoorthy as the party whip. They also jointly withdrew earlier petitions related to the whip appointment, signalling formal reunification.
What is C.V. Shanmugam's current status in the AIADMK?
Shanmugam's status remains unclear. He reportedly did not appear before the Speaker in person on 28 May, and it is uncertain whether his petition was formally accepted. He is said to be consulting supporters at his Chennai residence, with sections of the AIADMK divided over his possible re-entry into the EPS camp.
What does the AIADMK merger mean for the Tamil Nadu government?
The reunified AIADMK bloc has formally withdrawn its support from the TVK-led government of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, strengthening the opposition's legislative numbers. A Speaker-recognised merger under EPS would consolidate the AIADMK as the principal opposition force in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
