Chennai: A group of AIADMK dissident MLAs led by former ministers Shanmugam and Velumani has been left disappointed after they were not included in the cabinet of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by Chief Minister Vijay. The development has, in turn, boosted the morale of AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s camp.
In the Assembly election, the AIADMK won 47 seats and slipped to third place. The TVK emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats and formed the government with the support of the Congress, VCK and the Communist parties, according to the report.
The report said 25 AIADMK MLAs rallied under Shanmugam against Palaniswami and extended support to the TVK government, including during the confidence vote, triggering a split within the AIADMK. The dissident camp reportedly expected ministerial berths—calculating roughly one minister for every five MLAs.
However, Palaniswami’s side has filed complaints with the Governor and the Speaker seeking action under the anti-defection law against the 25 MLAs. During the latest cabinet expansion, no minister posts were allotted to the Shanmugam-Velumani camp.
Some MLAs from the dissident group were quoted as saying they had expected cabinet positions or board chairmanships, and now fear they may end up with neither. They also expressed anxiety over election expenses and debts, while noting that several MLAs are already preparing to move back towards Palaniswami’s side, which could weaken their ability to function even as a separate group in the Assembly.
