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Following a significant defeat in the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, the AIADMK is witnessing emerging signs of discontent within its ranks. Reports indicate that a faction of legislators and former ministers is urging party leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami to resign. Despite the mounting pressure from various party segments, sources suggest that EPS is reluctant to step down. According to senior party insiders, legislators associated with veteran leader C.V. Shanmugam have conveyed to EPS that after four consecutive electoral defeats, they are no longer willing to accept his leadership. In the assembly elections held on April 23, AIADMK managed to secure only 47 out of 234 seats. In the previous 2021 elections, the DMK-led coalition ousted AIADMK from power, leaving them with just 75 seats. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, AIADMK won only one out of 39 seats, and in the upcoming 2024 parliamentary elections, they are projected to win none.

The ongoing electoral losses have severely impacted the morale of AIADMK workers and intensified internal dissent regarding the leadership's political strategies. Furthermore, the growing rift between EPS's faction and leaders aligned with Shanmugam has raised concerns about a potential split within the party. Previously, there were speculations that Shanmugam's faction might ally with actor-politician Vijay's Tamilga Vetrik Katchi, which was gaining the necessary numbers to form a government. TVK made a remarkable start in the assembly elections, winning 108 seats but falling short of a majority by 10 seats. After extensive negotiations with CPI, CPI(M), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and the Indian Union Muslim League, TVK successfully crossed the majority threshold. Subsequently, Vijay took the oath of office as Chief Minister in a grand ceremony adorned with stars.

Amidst the efforts to secure a majority for TVK, over 30 legislators, including Shanmugam, were reportedly holed up in a resort in Puducherry last week. Speculations about an alliance with Vijay's party were intensifying. EPS also visited the resort to rally his legislators. There were also reports that the DMK had initiated secret talks with AIADMK, which allegedly angered Shanmugam, prompting him to decide to collaborate with the TVK-led government.