Chennai: Tamil Nadu’s post-election political scene has entered an unprecedented phase of uncertainty and suspense. The deadlock between Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) over government formation has reportedly reached a breaking point. Following the collapse of alliance negotiations over power-sharing issues, fears of a split within the AIADMK have intensified. To prevent possible defections, several AIADMK MLAs have allegedly been moved to resorts in Puducherry and other undisclosed locations under tight security.
Power Struggle at the Center: EPS Stands Firm
As TVK emerged close to the majority mark, the party reportedly sought AIADMK’s support to form the government. Senior AIADMK leaders including C.V. Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani are said to have strongly urged EPS to join hands with Vijay.
Initially, Palaniswami appeared open to discussions, but he reportedly placed a major condition before moving forward.
EPS is believed to have insisted on an exclusive alliance consisting only of TVK and AIADMK. His stand was clear: AIADMK should play the dominant role in governance and remain a powerful force in the administration. Early-stage negotiations were reportedly facilitated through Leema Rose, an AIADMK MLA and mother-in-law of TVK functionary Aadhav Arjuna.
Vijay’s Strategy: Why the Alliance Collapsed
However, sources claim Vijay was unwilling to accept EPS’s conditions. The actor-turned-politician reportedly did not want TVK to become politically dependent solely on AIADMK. Instead, Vijay was said to be exploring the possibility of forming a broader alliance involving Congress, Left parties, and several regional outfits.
The talks, which began on Tuesday, reportedly collapsed by Wednesday afternoon. Congress, which had shown conditional support to TVK, is believed to have demanded that the alliance avoid any association with “communal forces” or parties perceived to be close to the BJP.
EPS reportedly backed away from the negotiations because a multi-party coalition would reduce AIADMK’s influence and limit his decision-making authority within the government.
Fear of Horse-Trading: MLAs Moved to Resorts
With negotiations failing, AIADMK leadership allegedly feared attempts by rival camps to poach its MLAs. To prevent any possible “horse-trading,” several legislators were immediately shifted by bus to luxury resorts in neighboring Puducherry and other secret locations.
Reports suggest that heavy security arrangements have been made around the resorts to ensure the MLAs remain inaccessible to rival political negotiators.
Is AIADMK Heading Toward Another Split?
Political sources indicate that AIADMK is now internally divided into two camps.
One faction reportedly believes the party should support Vijay unconditionally and participate in power-sharing, arguing that refusing to do so could weaken the party politically. The other faction stands firmly behind EPS, viewing his resistance as a battle for the party’s dignity and long-term control.
Meanwhile, another group of dissatisfied MLAs who are allegedly eager to support TVK are said to be staying separately, ignoring instructions from the party leadership. This has triggered fresh speculation about a possible split within AIADMK.
What Happens Next?
The big question dominating Tamil Nadu politics now is: Who will form the next government? Will AIADMK remain united, or can EPS maintain his grip over the party amid mounting pressure?
Political observers believe the next few days — especially the Governor’s decisions and possible alliance realignments — will determine the future course of the state’s politics. The political chess game continues at high intensity.
