Split wide open: On the AIADMK, Tamil Nadu politics
It is no surprise that the
AIADMK, the principal Opposition party in the previous Tamil Nadu Assembly, is heading towards a split, having faced a second successive setback in the recent Assembly election, apart from several defeats in parliamentary elections. As of now, the 47 MLAs from the Dravidian major are divided over their support for the leadership of General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who was until recently the Leader of Opposition. On Monday, the two groups made written submissions to Pro-tem Speaker M.V. Karuppiah regarding their claims. Though there is no clarity on the strength of the two factions, the dissident group, led by former Ministers C.Ve. Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani, appears to enjoy the support of more legislators. This group has announced its decision to support the
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government; Chief Minister
C. Joseph Vijay, by visiting the office of Mr. Shanmugam and meeting him and his colleagues on Tuesday, has indicated where his sympathies lie. This appears to be part of Mr. Vijay’s political outreach, as he has met DMK chief M.K. Stalin and several other leaders in the past two days. It carries political significance, as the Chief Minister is due to move a trust vote in the House on Wednesday.
Unlike previous occasions when the AIADMK publicly announced the election of its legislature party leader and other functionaries, there has been no official announcement this time. However, the Palaniswami camp claims that at a May 9 meeting, all 47 legislators gave written consent to the effect that the former Chief Minister is the AIADMK legislature party’s leader. It also cites the
Supreme Court verdict in the Shiv Sena case (May 2023), which held that “the political party, and not the legislature party, appoints the Whip and the Leader in the House”. As Mr. Palaniswami is also the general secretary, his supporters argue that there is no need to take cognisance of the other faction’s office-bearer announcements, given that he has appointed his nominee as the legislature party whip. The Palaniswami group also appears to be preparing to move the Speaker for disqualification of rebel legislators under paragraph 2(1)(b) of the 1985 anti-defection law, in case the dissidents violate the whip by voting against the government. One option for the Shanmugam-Velumani faction is to merge with the TVK if it secures the support of 32 legislators, similar to how seven AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha (out of a total of 10 MPs) recently quit and merged with the BJP — which was approved by the Vice President and the Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan. In the case of the AIADMK,
Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar may soon have to draw on his experience and legal advice to assess the merits of the two groups’ claims. Whatever he decides, the churn in Tamil Nadu politics is likely to continue for some time.
- 1The ongoing AIADMK split highlights the crucial role of the Speaker in resolving legislative party disputes and upholding constitutional principles. The Pro-tem Speaker initially receives claims, but the Assembly Speaker ultimately decides on factional recognition and potential disqualifications under the anti-defection law. This process is vital for maintaining parliamentary democracy, especially when a Chief Minister faces a trust vote, requiring a clear majority on the floor of the House to prove confidence.
- 2The fragmentation within the AIADMK, following successive electoral defeats, signifies a significant shift in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, reflecting broader trends of regional party dynamics. This internal turmoil creates instability, potentially impacting policy formulation and governance effectiveness in the state, particularly concerning welfare programs and infrastructure development. The Chief Minister's outreach to various factions, including dissidents, underscores the fluid nature of coalition politics and the strategic maneuvering required to consolidate power and ensure legislative stability.
- 3The AIADMK's internal conflict directly invokes the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, specifically the anti-defection law, which allows for disqualification of legislators violating the party whip. The Supreme Court's Shiv Sena judgment (2023) clarified that the political party, not the legislature party, appoints the Whip and Leader, strengthening the party high command's control. Furthermore, a merger with another party requires the support of at least two-thirds of the legislators to avoid disqualification under paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule.
- 4The political instability stemming from the AIADMK's internal strife can have significant socio-economic repercussions for Tamil Nadu, a state known for its industrial base and social welfare models. Prolonged uncertainty often deters both domestic and foreign investment, potentially slowing economic growth and job creation in the state. Furthermore, a fractured government might struggle to implement crucial social welfare schemes and infrastructure projects effectively, directly impacting the well-being and development prospects of its citizens.