Published May 18, 2026 | 9:30 PM ⚊ Updated May 18, 2026 | 9:30 PM
Edappadi K Palaniswami. (X)
Synopsis: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami dismissed as “false news” speculation that the party attempted to form a government with DMK support after the 2026 Assembly election, asserting that AIADMK was founded against the DMK. His remarks came amid VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan reiterating that neither the DMK nor the AIADMK officially approached him for a coalition arrangement and describing such reports as “political gossip”.
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Monday, 18 May, dismissed as “false news” speculation that the AIADMK had explored forming a government with the support of the DMK after the 2026 Assembly election, asserting that such a possibility would never arise as the party was founded in opposition to the DMK.
In a detailed statement addressed to party cadres following the AIADMK’s electoral defeat, Palaniswami urged members to remain united and work towards restoring an “Amma government” in Tamil Nadu. He said the people’s verdict had been accepted “wholeheartedly” but stressed that the setback was only temporary.
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His remarks came amid VCK chief and MP Thol. Thirumavalavan clarifying to the media on Monday that neither the DMK nor the AIADMK had officially approached him with an offer to support a DMK-AIADMK coalition government. Thirumavalavan described reports of such a political realignment as mere “political gossip” and said only some “third persons” had informally floated the idea before him.
But in an interview with a private news channel on Sunday, Thirumavalavan also said that even as he was preparing to brief the media after submitting a support letter to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government, a person from a “power centre” contacted him at the last minute and asked him to join “their team” by accepting the proposal.
However, he said he refused the offer and decided to extend support to TVK in order to avoid President’s Rule in the state.
Meanwhile, without naming individuals, Palaniswami accused certain leaders within the AIADMK of attempting to weaken the party after being influenced by “the enticements of enemies”. Comparing the AIADMK to a banyan tree, he said those trying to cut its roots while sitting on its branches would ultimately collapse themselves while the party would survive.
Recalling the party’s origins, Palaniswami said the AIADMK was founded in 1972 by former Chief Minister MG Ramachandran against the DMK and later transformed into an “iron fortress” by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
He said the party had ruled Tamil Nadu for 31 years under their leadership and had uplifted the poor while making the state a leader in education, healthcare, agriculture and industry.
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Calling defeat and victory “natural” in politics, Palaniswami said both MGR and Jayalalithaa had faced setbacks before returning stronger. He maintained that AIADMK cadres had never remained in the party merely for positions of power.
Palaniswami also alleged that the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government had come to power only with the support of parties from the DMK alliance despite projecting itself as a “pure force”.
He accused the party of indulging in “horse-trading politics” and attempting to poach AIADMK functionaries by offering them positions.
Accepting the 2026 election setback, Palaniswami said the AIADMK had secured 21.21 percent vote share independently by polling 1,04,62,146 votes, while the alliance together received around 1.34 crore votes. He noted that 47 AIADMK MLAs and six alliance MLAs had been elected because people still wanted the AIADMK to return to power.
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Palaniswami said the AIADMK had survived several conspiracies after the deaths of MGR and Jayalalithaa and continued to remain a deeply rooted movement capable of withstanding political storms.
Warning party workers against betraying the movement, he said disciplinary action against those harming the party had always been part of AIADMK’s tradition since the days of MGR and Jayalalithaa, while adding that those who corrected themselves would also be accepted back.
Urging cadres to settle internal differences within the party framework, he said every political movement faced challenges and AIADMK was no exception. He also claimed that the present government, which survives with the support of five parties, would not last long.
Ending his statement on an optimistic note, Palaniswami expressed confidence that the AIADMK would rise again as long as the legacy of MGR and Jayalalithaa remained alive among the people.
“Tomorrow is ours. This nation is ours,” he said.
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(Edited by Sumavarsha)
