AIADMK split deepens: Shanmugam-Velumani faction extends support to TVK government

In a dramatic political realignment, a significant faction of the AIADMK led by C.V. Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani announced today that they will extend support to the TVK-led government of Chief Minister Vijay.

While the main AIADMK body under Edappadi K. Palaniswami remains in opposition, this move effectively secures a comfortable buffer for CM Vijay ahead of tomorrow's mandatory floor test. The Shanmugam faction controls an estimated 12 to 15 MLAs.

Political analysts describe the shift as signifying a "complete dismantling" of the traditional Dravidian duopoly, as senior leaders from established parties gravitate toward Vijay's "New Era" governance model. The two factions of the AIADMK are now expected to proceed toward a formal split.