AIADMK Seeks Probe Into MLA Defections to TVK, Alleges Possible Financial Irregularities

Chennai, May 2026 : AIADMK MP Dhanapal has called for a detailed investigation into the resignation of four party MLAs who later joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), alleging that large-scale financial transactions may have taken place behind their defections.

In a post on social media platform X, Dhanapal claimed that the TVK government does not command an independent majority and said the sudden resignation of the four legislators immediately after the formation of the new government has raised serious questions. He further alleged that the timing of the resignations pointed towards possible inducements and called for a thorough probe into the matter.

The AIADMK MP suggested that “massive money transfers” could be involved in the defections and urged the Central Government to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry to safeguard democratic principles. He also called upon the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to closely monitor the developments and examine any financial irregularities linked to the political shifts.

The statement comes at a politically sensitive time, as rival factions within the AIADMK are reportedly moving towards reconciliation after weeks of internal divisions, defections, and uncertainty over the party’s future direction.

According to party sources, leaders from both major camps are likely to submit a joint letter to Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar withdrawing their earlier support extended to the ruling TVK government during the trust vote. If this materialises, it could significantly alter the balance of power in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and reshape opposition dynamics in the state.

The AIADMK had split into two prominent factions following internal crises after the previous electoral developments. One group, led by senior leader C.Ve. Shanmugam, initially held the backing of 25 MLAs, while the faction led by former Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) had the support of 22 legislators.

However, the Shanmugam camp has weakened in recent weeks due to political realignments. Four MLAs — K. Maragatham Kumaravel, P. Sathyabama, S. Jayakumar, and Dr. C. Isakki Subbaiah — resigned from the AIADMK and subsequently joined the ruling TVK, further intensifying the crisis within the opposition party.

In another setback for the faction, six MLAs, including P. Haribaskar, S.M. Sugumar, D. Jaishankar, N.S.N. Natarajan, K. Mohan, and P. Balakrishna Reddy, shifted their support back to the EPS camp. This reduced the effective strength of the rival group to just 15 legislators, weakening its bargaining position within the party structure.

Amid these shifting alliances and concerns over declining strength, 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. The meeting focused on exploring the possibility of reunification of the two factions to restore party stability.

Sources indicated that the Shanmugam faction had initially demanded the restoration of key organisational posts and the formation of a high-level coordination committee to enable collective decision-making within the party. However, EPS is said to have rejected both proposals and instead urged the rival group to withdraw their complaints pending before the Speaker against the party leadership.

As internal negotiations continue and allegations of political inducements surface, the AIADMK’s internal crisis and its shifting alliances with the ruling TVK have added a new layer of complexity to Tamil Nadu’s evolving political landscape.