O Panneerselvam

Former AIADMK minister Vellamandi R Natarajan has switched allegiance, joining the Vijay-led TVK party on May 27. This marks the fifth prominent AIADMK figure to join the ruling party this week, following four recently resigned rebel MLAs. Natarajan, a former Tourism minister, had previously supported O Panneerselvam and rejoined AIADMK in February.

O. Panneerselvam, a former AIADMK leader, has won the Bodinayakanur seat as a DMK candidate in the 2026 Assembly elections. He defeated Prakash S, marking a significant political shift in his traditional stronghold. The election campaign focused on welfare, industrial growth, and political identity debates.

JCD Prabhakar of TVK has been elected as the Speaker of the 17th Tamil Nadu Assembly unopposed. Accompanied by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, the 73-year-old former AIADMK MLA's appointment is a significant development for the new TVK-led government. He played a key role in Vijay's election campaign and manifesto preparation.

AIADMK faces a deepening power struggle as senior leaders and MLAs convene meetings amid electoral setbacks. Factions led by Edappadi K Palaniswami and S P Velumani are vying for legislature party leadership, with competing claims submitted to the pro-tem Speaker. This marks the third major split threat in the party's history.

Political observers said the resort meeting isn't just about protection, it’s about resolving a deep internal divide.

Tamil Nadu's political scene is in turmoil as AIADMK moves MLAs to a Puducherry resort following a fractured election mandate. Actor Vijay's TVK emerged as the largest party but fell short of a majority. AIADMK has firmly stated it will not support TVK, prompting the move to prevent poaching and maintain unity ahead of crucial government formation talks.

AIADMK faces internal turmoil following a significant electoral defeat in Tamil Nadu, with divisions surfacing over leadership and potential support for the new TVK government. MLAs arrived in separate groups for the assembly, highlighting a visible rift and raising questions about the party's future cohesion and relevance.

Actor-politician Vijay's TVK party emerged as the single-largest force in Tamil Nadu, winning 108 seats. Despite this, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has paused an invitation to form the government, citing an "unestablished majority." This has triggered a constitutional showdown, with legal experts debating the governor's discretionary powers and the necessity of a floor test before an invitation.

In a stunning shift, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has transformed Tamil Nadu's political dynamics, relegating the DMK to the opposition role and leaving the AIADMK trailing in third place. This new political force has made substantial strides in regions traditionally dominated by Dravidian parties, especially shaking up DMK's influence in the northern districts and the south's 'thevar belt'.

Tamil Nadu's high voter turnout signals a crucial election. Chief Minister Stalin's DMK seeks continuity, while the AIADMK aims for a comeback. Actor Vijay's TVK emerges as a significant challenger, particularly among younger voters. Key constituencies like Kolathur and Perambur are witnessing intense multi-cornered contests, setting the stage for a decisive outcome.

O Panneerselvam, a former AIADMK chief minister, campaigns as the DMK's candidate in Bodinayakkanur after being denied re-entry into his old party. His shift, marked by posters of Stalin and a new political alignment, faces skepticism from voters accustomed to AIADMK loyalty, raising questions about his ability to win over his traditional base.

West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are set for high-stakes assembly elections on April 23, with intense campaigns by national and regional parties. Over Rs 1,000 crore in inducements have been seized, and central forces are deployed in West Bengal. Key contests include Nandigram and the DMK vs. AIADMK battle in Tamil Nadu, with superstar Vijay's new party adding a twist.

Rejecting EPS’s allegation that Sengottaiyan had betrayed him, the former minister told reporters here that he had helped EPS become the chief minister and the general secretary of AIADMK. “Then how could he call me a betrayer,” he wondered.