CHENNAI: In a significant political development, three MLAs from the rebel camp led by C Ve Shanmugam and S P Velumani resigned from the Tamil Nadu assembly on Monday and joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. The trio—Madurantakam (reserved) MLA Maragatham Kumaravel, Dharapuram (reserved) MLA P Sathyabama, and Perundurai MLA S Jayakumar—submitted their resignations to Assembly Speaker J C D Prabhakar before heading to the chamber of PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna at the secretariat to formally join TVK.
Resignation and Joining Ceremony
The MLAs, who were among the 25 legislators that voted in favor of Vijay during the trust vote on May 13, were welcomed with shawls by TVK leaders. The move drew strong criticism from former Chief Ministers M K Stalin and Edappadi K Palaniswami, who condemned it as 'horse trading' and a new low in state politics. Opposition parties accused TVK of turning the secretariat into a party office to conduct its politics. However, Minister Aadhav Arjuna denied the allegations, stating that none of the three MLAs face corruption charges and that their decision was voluntary.
Sequence of Events
The events unfolded around 2:30 PM when the three MLAs discreetly reached the secretariat and went to the Speaker's chamber on the ground floor to submit their resignation letters. They urged the Speaker to take appropriate action. From there, they proceeded to Aadhav Arjuna's chamber on the second floor at 2:47 PM. Arjuna was heard saying, 'TVK is like a family. We all sail together. Party president (Vijay) is our pillar (of strength).' While the trio remained in Arjuna's chamber, the Speaker initiated the resignation process. TVK swiftly generated membership cards for the three, handing them over even before the Speaker formally announced acceptance of their resignations.
Speaker Prabhakar told reporters that he accepted the resignations under Section 21 of the Tamil Nadu Assembly rules, noting that resigning MLAs need not state a reason. Following the acceptance, the three accompanied Arjuna to the Chief Minister's chamber on the first floor around 4:20 PM. After a nearly 20-minute meeting with Vijay, they returned to Arjuna's chamber. By 5:30 PM, Maragatham and her colleagues headed to the TVK headquarters in Panaiyur.
Statements from the MLAs
Maragatham Kumaravel told reporters, 'We were unable to fulfill the needs and demands of our constituents when we were in opposition (2021-2026). So, we took the decision to resign from our MLA posts in the best interest of the people of our constituencies. This is our independent decision. It is more about self-respect, and there is no selfishness in our decision.' She equated CM Vijay's 15-day tenure to 'Amma's (former AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa) governance,' citing announcements on women-centric schemes and revival of 'Amma Unavagam' (Amma canteens). When asked about contesting in their respective constituencies, she said, 'The party leadership will decide on it.' Maragatham declined to comment on why they visited Aadhav Arjuna's chamber before their resignations were formally accepted.
Political Reactions and Future Moves
AIADMK sources alleged that the entire episode was orchestrated by the party's chief coordinator and senior minister K A Sengottaiyan along with cabinet colleague Aadhav Arjuna. 'There is more to follow,' sources added, hinting that more MLAs and AIADMK functionaries from the rebel camp might follow suit. The three MLAs have reportedly been guaranteed tickets to contest from their respective constituencies under TVK's 'whistle' symbol in the by-elections necessitated by their resignations, which must be held within 21 days of the election results.
