All dressed up and nowhere to go: The curious case of the AIADMK rebel group in Tamil Nadu

There is a popular phrase, “so close, yet so far.” In fact, the current situation of the AIADMK breakaway faction reminds one of another adage: “all dressed up and nowhere to go.”

Reportedly, the AIADMK rebel faction, led by senior leaders S.P. Velumani and C.Ve. Shanmugam, is now attempting a climbdown and seeking reconciliation with the main party under General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS).

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Following the floor test, the rebel faction was believed to be hoping for ministerial berths in Chief Minister Vijay’s new Cabinet. However, those hopes were dashed when Vijay accommodated DMK’s erstwhile allies, who supported him, in the council of ministers. Apparently, they had threatened to withdraw support if the AIADMK rebels were inducted.

Legally, AIADMK could not have formally supported Vijay’s TVK government without risking the disqualification of its MLAs under the anti-defection law contained in the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. The law does not recognise a mere “split” in a party. For a breakaway faction to avoid disqualification, it must comprise at least two-thirds of the party’s elected legislators.

Despite the AIADMK whip directing MLAs to vote against the TVK government, 25 rebel legislators defied and voted in favour of the confidence motion, helping the government secure a comfortable majority.

But with Vijay seemingly shutting the door on them, the rebel group led by former ministers Velumani and Shanmugam appears politically stranded despite having helped save the TVK government.

They are now said to be contemplating other options, including returning home.

Velumani on Friday reportedly denied any intention to split the AIADMK and said the MLAs had extended support to TVK in line with the people’s mandate. He said the AIADMK should now work towards restoring the “Amma rule” associated with former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, that EPS remained the party’s general secretary and stressed the need to preserve unity within the AIADMK.

Following the rebellion, EPS removed several dissident leaders from party posts and initiated disqualification proceedings against the rebel MLAs under the anti-defection law.