Published May 25, 2026 | 4:43 PM ⚊ Updated May 25, 2026 | 4:43 PM
Maragatham Kumaravel, S Jayakumar, and P Sathyabama.
Synopsis: Three AIADMK MLAs resigned from the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Monday, 25 May, and joined the ruling TVK. The legislators–Maragatham Kumaravel, S Jayakumar, and P Sathyabama–were among the 25 AIADMK MLAs who backed the Joseph Vijay government during the confidence motion earlier this month.
Just three weeks after being elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, three AIADMK MLAs have resigned from their posts and formally joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
Maragatham Kumaravel, S Jayakumar, and P Sathyabama, elected from Maduranthakam, Perundurai, and Dharapuram respectively, submitted their resignation letters to Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar on Monday, 25 May.
Subsequently, the trio met Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Aadhav Arjuna and formally joined the TVK.
Notably, the three MLAs were among the 25 AIADMK legislators, led by SP Velumani, who voted in support of the Joseph Vijay government during the confidence motion on 13 May.
Also Read: AIADMK déjà vu: Party faces another existential crisis as factions mar unity
The MLAs’ switch follows weeks of internal tussle within the former ruling party.
During the floor test, Edappadi K Palaniswami was invited to speak on behalf of the AIADMK. He categorically declared that the party was not extending support to the TVK government.
“The 47 AIADMK MLAs were elected by the people to restore the rule of MGR and Jayalalithaa. They were elected for the AIADMK alone. Therefore, we are not supporting the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam,” EPS stated.
However, shortly afterwards, SP Velumani was also invited to speak on behalf of the party.
This became controversial because rival letters had already been submitted regarding the leadership of the AIADMK legislature party, with 17 MLAs backing EPS and more than 25 MLAs backing Velumani.
MLAs from the EPS camp objected strongly when Velumani was allowed to speak, citing Assembly Rule 99 and questioning the legality of the move. Despite the protests, Velumani addressed the House.
Meanwhile, AIADMK advocate and Rajya Sabha MP IS Inbathurai confirmed that the EPS camp has now formally sought anti-defection proceedings against the 25 MLAs. He further alleged that the Speaker ignored objections raised by the EPS faction during the voting process and violated Assembly procedure by allowing the voting to continue without recording their protest.
At the same time, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has removed the 25 MLAs from party posts.
EPS has also appointed new district secretaries and office-bearers to replace them.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose)
