Visible divide in AIADMK as MLAs enter Tamil Nadu assembly in two separate groups
The newly elected legislators from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) attended the oath-taking ceremony for the 17th Tamil Nadu legislative assembly on Monday in two groups, deepening the impression of a rupture in the party after it bagged 47 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu assembly.
AIADMK legislators have traditionally gathered together at the assembly entrance and entered the house as a united bloc at the start of house sessions or oath-taking ceremonies.
This time, party MLAs, came in two separate groups, one led by former chief minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami and another led by leaders, CV Shanmugam, and SP Velumani.
The two AIADMK groups sat separately in the assembly during the ceremony and left the venue separately as well.
People familiar with the matter said Shanmugam, Velumani and their supporters have shown interest in backing the Vijay-led TVK that has formed the government in the state.
TVK won 108 seats in the recently held state polls, defeating the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and leaving the AIADMK far behind electorally.
TVK with 107 seats (after Vijay’s resignation from Tiruchirappali East) has since formed government with the support of 13 MLAs from the Congress, VCK, IUML and the Left parties.