How the anti-defection law is going to operate in the AIADMK case?
AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami addresses the media along with party MPs after the confidence motion passed at the State Assembly Secretariat in Chennai on May 13, 2026. | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam
The story so far: The rift in the AIADMK widened further on Wednesday night (May 13, 2026) after party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami removed 26 rebel district secretaries, including 12 MPs, from their posts. Among those dismissed were former Ministers C.Ve. Shanmugam and SP Velumani. Earlier in the day, the split in the organization emerged in the Assembly after 22 legislators loyal to Mr. Palaniswami opposed the confidence motion moved by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) regime and 25 MLAs supported the motion.
Under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution and the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Members (Ground for Disqualification of Disqualification) Rules, 1986, there are two grounds for disqualification in case of defection: a member’s voluntary renunciation of membership of his or her political party and a member’s voting or abstention from voting contrary to any instructions issued by his or her political party.
It was published – 13 May 2026 22:42 IST
