Chennai, May 13:Amid an AIADMK vs AIADMK showdown, 25 MLAs led by CV Shanmugam supported Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s ally TVK during the floor test, helping it secure 144 votes. Shanmugam rejected Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s (EPS) claim to have been elected AIADMK legislative leader, alleging that no formal party meeting or resolution had occurred.

Shanmugam accused EPS of presenting a forged letter and claimed C. Vijaya Bhaskar, not EPS’s nominee Krishnamoorthy, was the legitimately elected party whip. He also dismissed EPS’s allegations that MLAs were enticed with ministerial posts, countering that EPS himself had offered incentives in exchange for DMK support.

EPS, however, defended his appointment of Krishnamoorthy as party whip and criticized defecting MLAs for violating party discipline and seeking ministerial posts. The confrontation underscores deepening divisions within the AIADMK.