Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Bypoll Losses Put Palaniswami Under Fresh AIADMK Pressure
The AIADMK lost two seats in recent by-elections and came third in both contests.
Two former AIADMK members won those seats after joining the TVK.
This has made some AIADMK leaders question how the party is being run and how it contests elections.
Some want the party to hold a meeting to discuss the losses.
They also want to make peace with leaders who are no longer aligned with the party.
Earlier, many AIADMK lawmakers supported the TVK government despite their party’s position.
Six lawmakers later resigned and joined the TVK.
Edappadi K. Palaniswami now has to manage disagreements and try to stop more members from leaving.
AIADMK finished third in the Maduranthakam and Dharapuram bypolls, losing two seats it had held.
Former AIADMK legislators Maragatham Kumaravel and P. Sathyabama won the seats for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam after resigning and switching parties.
The results have intensified calls from rival AIADMK factions for a general council meeting and a review of the party’s approach.
The S. P. Velumani and C. Ve. Shanmugam camps have urged reconciliation with estranged leaders T. T. V. Dhinakaran and V. K. Sasikala.
Palaniswami faces pressure to prevent further departures and rebuild confidence after 25 of the party’s 47 MLAs backed the TVK government, and six legislators later resigned and joined the TVK.
- Who
- The AIADMK, its General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, and rival party factions.
- What
- AIADMK’s third-place finishes in two bypolls have intensified internal pressure and calls for a party review.
- When
- After the Maduranthakam and Dharapuram bypolls; the articles do not give dates.
- Where
- Maduranthakam and Dharapuram, Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- The losses, defections and divisions over the party’s electoral approach have prompted demands for changes and reconciliation.
Review and Reconciliation
Palaniswami’s Current Approach
Party leadership and strategy
Review and Reconciliation
The S. P. Velumani and C. Ve. Shanmugam camps want a general council meeting to assess the defeats and press for changes to the party’s functioning and electoral approach.
Palaniswami’s Current Approach
Palaniswami rejected demands to support the TVK in forming the government; he now faces the task of managing rival factions and preventing further departures.
Reconciliation with estranged leaders
Review and Reconciliation
Some AIADMK factions favour reconciling with T. T. V. Dhinakaran and V. K. Sasikala to help rebuild the party.
Palaniswami’s Current Approach
The article describes these as factional demands and does not state that Palaniswami has accepted them.
- Bypoll seats
- Maduranthakam and Dharapuram
- AIADMK result
- Finished third in both contests and lost two seats it had held
- Winners
- Former AIADMK legislators Maragatham Kumaravel and P. Sathyabama, contesting for the TVK
- AIADMK Assembly strength cited
- 47 MLAs
- Vote against party position
- 25 AIADMK MLAs voted in favour of the TVK government
- Later departures
- Six AIADMK legislators resigned their Assembly seats and joined the TVK
- Proposed response
- A general council meeting and reconciliation with estranged leaders