AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) may have to take a strategic call to protect his party after it slipped to third place in the recent Assembly election amid a strong pro-Vijay wave, according to a report.
The report notes that Vijay has won 108 seats but is still short of a clear majority. He has sought 14 days’ time from the Governor to prove support and must line up enough MLAs to form the government.
While Vijay could try to draw support from parties in the DMK-led alliance—Congress, VCK, the Left parties, Muslim League and DMDK—the report argues that pulling multiple partners away would be difficult and could bring fresh bargaining pressures in a coalition.
Instead, it suggests Vijay may seek the backing of AIADMK, which has won 47 seats, offering positions such as Speaker or a share in the Cabinet. The report claims such a deal could help EPS prevent rivals—both expelled leaders and internal aspirants—from using the election outcome to weaken his hold.
The report also links Vijay’s ability to deliver on major welfare promises—such as free power up to 200 units, free LPG cylinders, free travel for women, marriage assistance, pensions for senior citizens, support for unemployed graduates, and farm loan relief—to securing adequate funding, including through cooperation with the Centre. It warns that if AIADMK refuses support, efforts to trigger resignations and by-elections could deepen divisions within the party.
