AIADMK MP Dhanapal demands CBI probe into four MLAs' defection to TVK
Synopsis
AIADMK MP Dhanapal has gone public with explosive allegations — demanding a CBI and ED probe into the defection of four party MLAs to the ruling TVK, claiming massive financial transactions may be behind the move. With the two AIADMK factions now reportedly inching toward reunion, Tamil Nadu's Opposition arithmetic could be on the verge of a significant reset.
Key Takeaways
AIADMK MP Dhanapal demanded a CBI and ED probe on 28 May into the defection of four party MLAs to the ruling TVK .
The four defecting MLAs were K.
Maragatham Kumaravel , P.
Jayakumar , and Dr C.
The Shanmugam faction's strength has fallen to 15 MLAs after defections and returns to the EPS camp.
Both AIADMK factions are reportedly moving towards a reunion; a letter to Speaker J.C.D.
Prabhakar withdrawing TVK support is expected.
EPS reportedly rejected the rival faction's demands for post restoration and a coordination committee.
AIADMK Member of Parliament Dhanapal has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the resignation of four AIADMK MLAs who subsequently joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government in Tamil Nadu, alleging that large-scale financial transactions may have driven the defections. The demand, made on 28 May, also called upon the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to closely monitor developments.
Dhanapal's Allegations
In a post on X, Dhanapal claimed that the TVK government did not command an independent majority in the Assembly and that the abrupt resignation of the four legislators immediately after the new government assumed office had raised serious doubts. He alleged that 'massive money transfers' were suspected behind the defections and urged the Centre to order a CBI inquiry to, in his words, 'protect democracy.'
The four MLAs who resigned from the AIADMK and joined the ruling TVK were identified as K. Maragatham Kumaravel, P. Sathyabama, S. Jayakumar, and Dr C. Isakki Subbaiah. Their departure significantly weakened the C.Ve. Shanmugam-led faction within the party.
AIADMK's Internal Fracture
The AIADMK had split into two major camps following a post-election crisis. The faction led by senior leader C.Ve. Shanmugam initially held the backing of 25 MLAs, while the camp of former Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) commanded 22 legislators.
The Shanmugam faction's strength has since eroded sharply. Beyond the four MLAs who defected to TVK, six legislators — P. Haribaskar, S.M. Sugumar, D. Jaishankar, N.S.N. Natarajan, K. Mohan, and P. Balakrishna Reddy — returned to the EPS camp, reducing the rival faction's effective strength to 15 MLAs.
Reunion Talks and Speaker's Role
This comes amid reports that the two rival AIADMK factions are moving towards a reunion after weeks of internal turmoil. According to party sources, leaders from both camps are expected to submit a letter to Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar withdrawing the support they had earlier extended to the ruling TVK government during the trust vote. The move is expected to significantly alter Opposition dynamics in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
Notably, several senior AIADMK leaders — including former ministers Natham R. Viswanathan, P. Thangamani, and Ko Hari — held discussions with EPS at his Greenways Road residence in Chennai to explore reconciliation.
EPS Rejects Faction's Conditions
According to party sources, the Shanmugam faction had initially demanded the restoration of party posts and the formation of a high-level coordination committee for collective decision-making. However, EPS reportedly rejected both demands and instead pressed the rival camp to withdraw complaints filed before the Speaker against the party leadership.
The outcome of these negotiations will determine whether the AIADMK can consolidate its opposition presence or remain divided ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Point of View
Raising the stakes for the TVK government at a moment when it is already under scrutiny over its majority. The more telling story, however, is the fragility of the AIADMK itself: a party that once dominated Tamil Nadu politics is now negotiating reunion terms from a position of weakness, with EPS holding the upper hand by rejecting the rival faction's conditions outright. If the reunion does materialise, it will test whether a consolidated AIADMK can credibly challenge TVK — or whether the damage from months of public infighting has already cost it too much electoral goodwill to recover quickly.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is AIADMK MP Dhanapal demanding a CBI probe?
Dhanapal alleges that large-scale financial transactions may have driven the resignation and defection of four AIADMK MLAs to the ruling TVK government in Tamil Nadu. He has urged the Centre to order a CBI investigation and called on the ED to monitor developments, claiming democracy needs to be protected.
Which four AIADMK MLAs defected to TVK?
The four MLAs who resigned from AIADMK and joined the ruling TVK are K. Maragatham Kumaravel, P. Sathyabama, S. Jayakumar, and Dr C. Isakki Subbaiah. Their departure was a key trigger for Dhanapal's demand for a probe.
What is the current strength of the two AIADMK factions?
The Shanmugam-led faction has been reduced to an effective strength of 15 MLAs after the four defections to TVK and the return of six legislators to the EPS camp. The EPS faction originally had 22 MLAs backing it.
Are the two AIADMK factions heading for a reunion?
According to party sources, both factions are reportedly moving towards reconciliation. Leaders from both camps are expected to submit a letter to Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar withdrawing support extended to the TVK government during the trust vote, which would significantly reshape Opposition dynamics in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
What conditions did the Shanmugam faction place for reunion, and how did EPS respond?
The Shanmugam faction reportedly demanded restoration of party posts and the formation of a high-level coordination committee. EPS rejected both conditions and instead asked the rival camp to withdraw complaints filed before the Speaker against the party leadership.
