Even as AIADMK chief Edapaddi K Palaniswami (EPS) alleged “horse trading” and “back stabbing”, Tamil Nadu Assembly president J C D Prabhakar on Monday accepted the resignation of three of his party members, Satyabhama, Maragattam Kumaravel, and Jayakumar, among those who recently rebelled in support of the new government led by actor-politician and CM Vijay’s party currently TVK.
They are set to officially join TVK, and may be the party’s candidates in the by-poll that will now be held for their seats.
Speaking to reporters, the Speaker of the House of Representatives said that the resignations were found to be valid according to the rules and were submitted personally.
Sathyabama is MLA from Dharapuram MLA; M Kumaravel of Maduranthakam; And Jayakumar from Perundurai.
“MLAs must submit their resignation letters in their own handwriting and submit them in person. If this procedure is not followed, an inquiry may be held. Since they submitted the letters directly in person, the decision has been taken on the spot,” Speaker GCD Prabhakar said, according to news agency PTI.
The disintegration of the AIADMK continues
The three MLAs were part of the rebel faction led by senior AIADMK leaders C Ve Shanmugam and SP Velumani who voted for the Vijay government in the confidence vote held earlier this month.
Soon after the meeting with the Speaker, the three MLAs invited TVK Minister Aadhav Arjuna, sparking speculation that they are set to join the C Joseph Vijay-led ruling party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
Bypolls are likely to be held to their seats along with Trichy East, as Vijay tendered his resignation after winning two seats.
Speaker on ‘defections’ in AIADMK
Responding to a larger question regarding the status of 25 AIADMK MLAs who voted for TVK despite the EPS-led party’s official claims of having a party whip, the spokesperson said: “All the petitions are currently pending. I will examine them and announce the decision later. There is no deadline to announce the identity of the party whip. I will review the matter and make an official announcement at the appropriate time.”
Regarding the “horse trafficking” allegations made by EPS, Prabhakar said: “I can only examine whether the messages submitted are in compliance with the rules or not. I cannot comment on what is happening outside.”
EPS reacts
“The AIADMK has braved many stabbings and betrayals to serve the public,” the AIADMK EPS chief said on the resignation of the three MLAs.
He criticized the resignations as a “pre-planned conspiracy” and described them as “compromising.”
The party has been in relative disarray since the death of its leader, Jay Jayalalithaa, in 2016.
After the results of the recent Assembly polls, in which it finished third behind TVK and DMK in 47 seats, more than two dozen MLAs favored extending outside support to the Vijay-led administration. External support means stability of the regime but there is no role or responsibility for the AIADMK in the ministry.
Vijay did not have enough numbers on his own and needed support from smaller parties.
Open challenge
The divisions became public when senior leaders Shanmugam and Velumani, both former ministers, skipped meetings chaired by the BSP along with their supportive aides.
On the day of the confidence vote, 25 AIADMK MLAs voted in favor of the new regime, meaning a comfortable cushion for the TVK alliance.
Dismantling the party would require at least two-thirds of party members to agree to change. The matter of their alleged defiance of the EPS-led party whip is now before the speaker. The three MLAs who resigned can technically recontest and try to win their TVK seats, avoiding the defection issue for now.
Shanmugam’s inclination towards TVK is said to have hardened following the buzz that the DMK’s rival was making back channel initiatives to some sections of the AIADMK to form an unprecedented alliance. This was reportedly brokered by the BJP, an ally of the AIADMK which got just one seat.
The DMK has since denied that it was exploring an alliance with the AIADMK.
EPS has shown no sign of stepping down. He continued to chair party meetings.
The AIADMK has suffered a series of electoral setbacks since Jayalalithaa’s death, and internal problems have been mounting for some time. In September 2025, the EPS removed veteran leader KA Sengottaiyan from all party posts after he publicly demanded the reinstatement of ousted leaders including O Panneerselvam and VK Sasikala, arguing that only a united party could take on the DMK. The move appears to have backfired, leading to mass resignations and open rebellion within the party.
