A day after the split in the AIADMK Legislature Party during the voting on the trust motion moved by the TVK government, both factions presented petitions to Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar on Thursday (May 14, 2026), claiming legitimacy and demanding that the petition filed by the other be rejected.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami and the rebel camp leaders — led by S.P. Velumani, C.Ve. Shanmugam, and C. Vijayabaskar — traded charges in a statement and at a press conference respectively.

‘Act of betrayal’

In a statement issued in the evening, Mr. Palaniswami called upon the party cadre to defeat the disgraceful actions of individuals who he alleged were eyeing posts. Pointing out that some AIADMK MLAs (25 in all) voted for the government, he said it was an act of “betrayal”.

However, Mr. Vijayabaskar said he was elected the AIADMK Legislature Party whip, and their representation sought the disqualification of 22  MLAs (who voted against the motion) for defection. He said Mr.  Palaniswami and others defied what he called his “whip” issued for the vote held on Wednesday.

Two senior AIADMK functionaries, owing allegiance to Mr. Palaniswami, presented a petition at the Speaker’s office.

In a related development, five senior AIADMK functionaries, owing allegiance to Mr. Palaniswami, submitted a representation to the Secretary to the Governor in the Lok Bhavan.

‘Actions invalid’

Mr. Velumani told journalists that all the actions taken by Mr.  Palaniswami were invalid. He said Mr. Palaniswami should not take any “unnecessary action” and instead call a party general council meeting to review the party’s defeat in the election.

Another senior functionary Natham R. Viswanathan said Mr.  Palaniswami did not have the authority to remove functionaries from their posts.