AIADMK rebel faction eyes Sasikala and TTV Dinakaran to consolidate anti-EPS front

The CVe Shanmugam-led rebel group is said to be busy getting letters from members of the party general council urging general secretary EPS to convene a GC meeting soon. At the same time, efforts are reportedly underway to bring back V.K. Sasikala and TTV Dhinakaran to consolidate anti-EPS forces. Under AIADMK party by-laws, the General Secretary or higher organisational heads are required to convene a special General Council meeting within 30 days if at least one-fifth of the members submit a request.

Political analysts believe the 2026 election exposed deeper structural weaknesses inside the AIADMK. "This non-consulting of the second-level leadership in forging alliances and the continuous electoral failures are the reasons behind the split," a political observer said. "Tamil Nadu politics has always been bipolar. Now that bipolar structure is returning again, but this time between DMK and TVK." Observers also pointed to EPS's lack of charisma compared to past AIADMK leaders.