Tamil Nadu Assembly: Edappadi Palaniswami claims AIADMK rebel MLAs promised Cabinet berths for support to TVK govt.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, on Wednesday (May 13, 2026), told the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly that he had received information that some AIADMK MLAs had been promised ministerial berths and positions as heads of various boards and corporations to be on the side of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

Mr. Palaniswami’s speech in the Assembly during the discussion on the trust vote on Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s TVK-led government assumes significance against the backdrop of a split in the AIADMK legislature party, as 25 rebel MLAs headed by S.P. Velumani supported the confidence motion, while the remaining 22 MLAs led by Mr. Palaniswami voted against it.

47 AIADMK MLAs elected on ‘Two Leaves’ symbol

Mr. Palaniswami said, “The AIADMK MLAs were elected only after meeting the people and seeking their confidence in the name of Puratchi Thalaivar MGR [M.G. Ramachandran] and Puratchi Thalaivi Amma [J. Jayalalithaa]. A total of 47 MLAs have been elected on behalf of the party. I have been functioning as the general secretary. It is quite common in any party to have differences of opinion. In such a situation, how is it fair for the Chief Minister to get the support of one group? This should not become a wrong precedent. It will lead to horse trading. When we met the people during the election, we sought their mandate on the promise that the AIADMK-led alliance would win and the AIADMK would form the government.”

Mr. Palaniswami added: “All the 47 MLAs were elected on the ‘Two Leaves’ symbol. People voted believing that these MLAs would ensure that the AIADMK government would be formed. I have received information that some of our MLAs had been promised ministerial berths and positions as heads of various boards and corporations to support the government. The Chief Minister should not give room to that. You [Chief Minister] have promised clean and transparent governance. I hope you will not deviate from that promise.”

Objection for allowing Velumani to speak

He also said all the AIADMK members in the Assembly would vote against the motion moved by the Chief Minister. When Mr. Palaniswami completed his speech, Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar called S.P. Velumani, who heads a rebel group in the AIADMK, to speak on the motion. However, AIADMK MLAs backing Mr. Palaniswami strongly objected. They questioned the basis on which Mr. Velumani was being allowed to speak when Mr. Palaniswami had already spoken on behalf of the AIADMK.

However, the Speaker said it was up to him to decide who should be given an opportunity to speak in the House. Meanwhile, Mr. Velumani continued his speech amid brief commotion in the House.

Mr. Velumani said the AIADMK rebel MLAs would extend support to the government and vote in favour of the motion. He urged the Chief Minister to ensure that welfare measures implemented during the tenure of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa continued.

He also said: “People of Tamil Nadu have reposed faith in the Chief Minister. We [the rebel MLAs] are not vying for any posts.”