AIADMK Unity Move: Tamil Nadu Speaker to Decide on Faction Merger on Thursday

Chennai, May 2026 : Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar is expected to take a final decision on Thursday regarding the merger of two rival AIADMK factions, after both groups formally withdrew disqualification petitions against each other and submitted fresh representations asserting unity within the party.

Speaking to reporters, the Speaker confirmed that both factions had requested withdrawal of earlier petitions filed during the internal party crisis. He said the documents would be carefully examined before making an official announcement on the status of the party in the Assembly.

The development follows a series of reconciliation talks between the camps led by AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) and senior leader S.P. Velumani, marking a significant step towards ending months of internal conflict.

In a key political turn, 14 MLAs aligned with the Velumani camp reportedly travelled from the residence of C.V. Shanmugam to meet EPS in Chennai. During the meeting, the legislators are said to have submitted apology letters to EPS, seeking restoration of party positions that were earlier withdrawn after the factional split.

Shortly after the meeting with EPS, Velumani along with the MLAs met Speaker Prabhakar and formally informed him that they were withdrawing support to the TVK-led government headed by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

Later, leaders from both sides jointly visited the Speaker’s chamber, signalling what appears to be a formal reunification of the AIADMK legislature group. They also withdrew earlier petitions related to the appointment of the party whip and informed the Speaker that they would now function as a single unified team.

The MLAs submitted new representations requesting that EPS be recognised as the leader of the AIADMK Legislature Party, along with a proposal to appoint Agri Krishnamoorthy as the party whip in the Assembly.

The Speaker personally verified the presence of MLAs who submitted the petitions and read out their names. However, sources noted that senior leader C.V. Shanmugam did not appear before the Speaker in person, and it remains unclear whether his petition has been formally accepted.

Despite the apparent thaw, uncertainty continues over Shanmugam’s political position within the reorganised structure. Reports suggest he initially resisted joining the reconciliation talks but was later persuaded by senior leader P. Thangamani.

Shanmugam is currently consulting supporters at his Chennai residence, with differing opinions emerging within party circles over his future role in the EPS-led faction.

With both sides moving closer to reconciliation, all eyes are now on the Speaker’s ruling, which is expected to determine the formal status of the AIADMK in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.