The Hindu Editorial • May 13, 2026 • Read Original

Split wide open: On the AIADMK, Tamil Nadu politics

The AIADMK seems set on the path of self-destruction

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Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on May 13, 2026

Split wide open: On the AIADMK, Tamil Nadu politics

The AIADMK seems set on the path of self-destruction

AIADMK SplitTamil Nadu PoliticsTVK GovernmentAnti-defection LawEPS vs Shanmugam

Sentences

Sentence 1 of 15

English Original

Simple Present S + V + C + Adjunct

It is no surprise that the AIADMK, the principal Opposition party in the previous Tamil Nadu Assembly, is heading towards a split, having faced a second successive setback in the recent Assembly election, apart from several defeats in parliamentary elections.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A placeholder subject used to introduce the statement

Part 2

The linking verb that connects the subject to its description

Part 3

no surprise

Something that was expected to happen

Part 4

that the AIADMK, the principal Opposition party in the previous Tamil Nadu Assembly, is heading towards a split

The fact that the main opposition party is about to break into different groups

Part 5

having faced a second successive setback in the recent Assembly election, apart from several defeats in parliamentary elections

Because they lost the last two state elections and many national elections as well

Context and Background

AIADMK

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has been struggling to maintain its base after the demise of its iconic leaders and successive electoral defeats to rival parties.

Sentence 2 of 15

English Original

Simple Present Adjunct + S + V + Adjunct

As of now, the 47 MLAs from the Dravidian major are divided over their support for the leadership of General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who was until recently the Leader of Opposition.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

As of now

At this current moment

Part 2

the 47 MLAs from the Dravidian major

The forty-seven members of the legislative assembly belonging to the AIADMK party

Part 3

are divided

Have different opinions or support different groups

Part 4

over their support for the leadership of General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who was until recently the Leader of Opposition

Regarding whether they support EPS, who was previously the head of the opposition in the assembly

Context and Background

Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS)

Edappadi K. Palaniswami is the General Secretary of the AIADMK and served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 2017 to 2021. He has been the primary face of the party following the split with O. Panneerselvam.

Sentence 3 of 15

English Original

Simple Past Adjunct + S + V + O + IO + Adjunct

On Monday, the two groups made written submissions to Pro-tem Speaker M.V. Karuppiah regarding their claims.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

On Monday

The specific day the event happened

Part 2

the two groups

The two factions within the AIADMK party

Part 3

made

Did or submitted something

Part 4

written submissions

Formal written documents or requests

Part 5

to Pro-tem Speaker M.V. Karuppiah

To the person acting as the temporary head of the assembly

Part 6

regarding their claims

About what they are asking for or asserting as their right

Context and Background

Pro-tem Speaker

The term ‘Pro-tem’ means ‘for the time being’. A Pro-tem Speaker is appointed by the Governor to perform the duties of the Speaker until a permanent one is elected by the members of the House. Their main role is to administer the oath to new members.

Sentence 4 of 15

English Original

Simple Present Adjunct + S + V + C

Though there is no clarity on the strength of the two factions, the dissident group, led by former Ministers C.Ve. Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani, appears to enjoy the support of more legislators.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Though there is no clarity on the strength of the two factions

Even though we don’t know exactly how many people are in each of the two groups

Part 2

the dissident group, led by former Ministers C.Ve. Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani

The group that disagrees with the party leader, headed by two former ministers

Part 3

appears

Seems to be or looks like

Part 4

to enjoy the support of more legislators

To have more assembly members on their side

Sentence 5 of 15

English Original

Present Perfect S + V + O ; S + Adjunct + V + O

This group has announced its decision to support the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government; Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, by visiting the office of Mr. Shanmugam and meeting him and his colleagues on Tuesday, has indicated where his sympathies lie.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This group

The group of AIADMK MLAs who disagree with the party leader

Part 2

has announced

Has officially made a statement

Part 3

its decision to support the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government

Their choice to help and vote with the party currently in power

Part 4

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay

The leader of the Tamil Nadu government

Part 5

by visiting the office of Mr. Shanmugam and meeting him and his colleagues on Tuesday

By going to the rebel leader’s workplace to talk with him and his partners

Part 6

has indicated

Has shown or suggested

Part 7

where his sympathies lie

Which group he favors or supports

Context and Background

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is a political party in Tamil Nadu founded by popular actor Vijay in 2024. In the 2026 elections, the party emerged as a major political force, leading to Vijay becoming the Chief Minister.

Sentence 6 of 15

English Original

Simple Present S + V + C + Adjunct

This appears to be part of Mr. Vijay’s political outreach, as he has met DMK chief M.K. Stalin and several other leaders in the past two days.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This

The act of the Chief Minister visiting the rebel leader’s office

Part 2

appears

Seems to be

Part 3

to be part of Mr. Vijay’s political outreach

To be a step in his plan to connect with different political leaders

Part 4

as he has met DMK chief M.K. Stalin and several other leaders in the past two days

Because he has also seen the head of the DMK party and other important politicians recently

Sentence 7 of 15

English Original

Simple Present S + V + O + Adjunct

It carries political significance, as the Chief Minister is due to move a trust vote in the House on Wednesday.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The current political situation and meetings

Part 2

carries

Has or holds

Part 3

political significance

Importance in the world of politics

Part 4

as the Chief Minister is due to move a trust vote in the House on Wednesday

Because the leader of the state will ask the assembly to vote on whether they still support him tomorrow

Sentence 8 of 15

English Original

Present Perfect Adjunct + S + V + C + Adjunct

Unlike previous occasions when the AIADMK publicly announced the election of its legislature party leader and other functionaries, there has been no official announcement this time.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Unlike previous occasions when the AIADMK publicly announced the election of its legislature party leader and other functionaries

Differently from other times when the party openly told everyone who their leaders and officers were

Part 2

there

A word used to start the sentence about existence

Part 3

has been

Has existed or occurred

Part 4

no official announcement

No formal or public statement from the party leadership

Part 5

this time

On this particular occasion

Sentence 9 of 15

English Original

Simple Present Adjunct + S + V + Object Clause

However, the Palaniswami camp claims that at a May 9 meeting, all 47 legislators gave written consent to the effect that the former Chief Minister is the AIADMK legislature party’s leader.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

However

But, on the other hand

Part 2

the Palaniswami camp

The group of people supporting Edappadi K. Palaniswami

Part 3

claims

States something as a fact, though others might disagree

Part 4

that at a May 9 meeting, all 47 legislators gave written consent to the effect that the former Chief Minister is the AIADMK legislature party’s leader

That during a meeting on May 9, every MLA agreed in writing that EPS is their official leader in the assembly

Sentence 10 of 15

English Original

Simple Present S + Adjunct + V + O + Adjunct

It also cites the Supreme Court verdict in the Shiv Sena case (May 2023), which held that “the political party, and not the legislature party, appoints the Whip and the Leader in the House”.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The argument or claim made by the Palaniswami camp

Part 2

also

In addition to the previous point

Part 3

cites

Mentions something as an example or proof

Part 4

the Supreme Court verdict in the Shiv Sena case (May 2023)

A legal decision made by India’s highest court regarding a split in the Shiv Sena party

Part 5

which held that “the political party, and not the legislature party, appoints the Whip and the Leader in the House”

Which decided that the main party organization, not just the elected MLAs, has the power to choose the leaders in the assembly

Context and Background

Supreme Court Verdict on Shiv Sena (2023)

In May 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that the power to appoint a Whip and a Leader in a legislative house belongs to the political party as a whole, not just the group of elected members (legislature party). This ensures that the party organization maintains control over its elected representatives.

Sentence 11 of 15

English Original

Simple Present Adjunct + S + V + O + Adjunct

As Mr. Palaniswami is also the general secretary, his supporters argue that there is no need to take cognisance of the other faction’s office-bearer announcements, given that he has appointed his nominee as the legislature party whip.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

As Mr. Palaniswami is also the general secretary

Because EPS holds the top position in the party organization

Part 2

his supporters

The people who are on EPS’s side

Part 3

argue

Give reasons to support their view

Part 4

that there is no need to take cognisance of the other faction’s office-bearer announcements

That they don’t have to pay attention to or accept the leaders chosen by the rival group

Part 5

given that he has appointed his nominee as the legislature party whip

Considering that he has already chosen his person to enforce discipline among the MLAs

Sentence 12 of 15

English Original

Simple Present S + Adjunct + V + C + Adjunct

The Palaniswami group also appears to be preparing to move the Speaker for disqualification of rebel legislators under paragraph 2(1)(b) of the 1985 anti-defection law, in case the dissidents violate the whip by voting against the government.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Palaniswami group

The faction led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami

Part 2

also

In addition to their other actions

Part 3

appears

Seems to be

Part 4

to be preparing to move the Speaker for disqualification of rebel legislators under paragraph 2(1)(b) of the 1985 anti-defection law

To be getting ready to ask the assembly head to remove the rebel members from their posts using a specific legal rule from 1985

Part 5

in case the dissidents violate the whip by voting against the government

If the people who disagree with the leader don’t follow the party’s order and vote against the ruling group

Context and Background

Anti-Defection Law (10th Schedule)

The Anti-Defection Law was added to the Constitution in 1985 to prevent political instability caused by legislators switching parties. Paragraph 2(1)(b) specifically mentions that a member can be disqualified if they vote against the direction (whip) of their political party.

Sentence 13 of 15

English Original

Simple Present S + V + C + Adjunct + Adjunct

One option for the Shanmugam-Velumani faction is to merge with the TVK if it secures the support of 32 legislators, similar to how seven AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha (out of a total of 10 MPs) recently quit and merged with the BJP — which was approved by the Vice President and the Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

One option for the Shanmugam-Velumani faction

One possible choice for the group led by the two former ministers

Part 2

Is (the linking verb)

Part 3

to merge with the TVK

To join their group with the party led by Vijay

Part 4

if it secures the support of 32 legislators

If they manage to get 32 assembly members to agree (which is the required 2/3rd majority to avoid legal trouble)

Part 5

similar to how seven AAP MPs in the Rajya Sabha (out of a total of 10 MPs) recently quit and merged with the BJP, which was approved by the Vice President and the Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan

Just like what happened when 7 out of 10 members of the AAP party in the upper house joined the BJP, which was accepted by the leader of that house

Context and Background

Two-Thirds Rule for Mergers

Under the 10th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, a group of elected members can merge with another political party without being disqualified if at least two-thirds of the members of the legislative party agree to the merger. For a group of 47, two-thirds is 32 (rounding up from 31.33).

Sentence 14 of 15

English Original

Future Possibility Adjunct + S + V + O + Adjunct

In the case of the AIADMK, Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar may soon have to draw on his experience and legal advice to assess the merits of the two groups’ claims.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In the case of the AIADMK

Regarding the situation with the AIADMK party

Part 2

Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar

The official who leads the state’s legislative assembly

Part 3

may soon have to draw on

Might need to use or rely on

Part 4

his experience and legal advice

What he has learned over time and the professional opinions of lawyers

Part 5

to assess the merits of the two groups’ claims

To decide how fair or legally correct the arguments of both sides are

Sentence 15 of 15

English Original

Simple Present Adjunct + S + V + C

Whatever he decides, the churn in Tamil Nadu politics is likely to continue for some time.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Whatever he decides

No matter what choice the Speaker makes

Part 2

the churn in Tamil Nadu politics

The state of confusion and constant change in the political environment of Tamil Nadu

Part 3

is likely

Is probably going to happen

Part 4

to continue for some time

To keep happening for a while longer

Sentence 1 of 15

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A placeholder subject used to introduce the statement

Part 2

The linking verb that connects the subject to its description

Part 3

no surprise

Something that was expected to happen

Part 4

that the AIADMK, the principal Opposition party in the previous Tamil Nadu Assembly, is heading towards a split

The fact that the main opposition party is about to break into different groups

Part 5

having faced a second successive setback in the recent Assembly election, apart from several defeats in parliamentary elections

Because they lost the last two state elections and many national elections as well

Sentence 2 of 15

As of now, the 47 MLAs from the Dravidian major are divided over their support for the leadership of General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who was until recently the Leader of Opposition.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

As of now

At this current moment

Part 2

the 47 MLAs from the Dravidian major

The forty-seven members of the legislative assembly belonging to the AIADMK party

Part 3

are divided

Have different opinions or support different groups

Part 4

over their support for the leadership of General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who was until recently the Leader of Opposition

Regarding whether they support EPS, who was previously the head of the opposition in the assembly

Sentence 3 of 15

On Monday, the two groups made written submissions to Pro-tem Speaker M.V. Karuppiah regarding their claims.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

On Monday

The specific day the event happened

Part 2

the two groups

The two factions within the AIADMK party

Part 3

made

Did or submitted something

Part 4

written submissions

Formal written documents or requests

Part 5

to Pro-tem Speaker M.V. Karuppiah

To the person acting as the temporary head of the assembly

Part 6

regarding their claims

About what they are asking for or asserting as their right

Sentence 4 of 15

Though there is no clarity on the strength of the two factions, the dissident group, led by former Ministers C.Ve. Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani, appears to enjoy the support of more legislators.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Though there is no clarity on the strength of the two factions

Even though we don’t know exactly how many people are in each of the two groups

Part 2

the dissident group, led by former Ministers C.Ve. Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani

The group that disagrees with the party leader, headed by two former ministers

Part 3

appears

Seems to be or looks like

Part 4

to enjoy the support of more legislators

To have more assembly members on their side

Sentence 5 of 15

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This group

The group of AIADMK MLAs who disagree with the party leader

Part 2

has announced

Has officially made a statement

Part 3

its decision to support the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government

Their choice to help and vote with the party currently in power

Part 4

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay

The leader of the Tamil Nadu government

Part 5

by visiting the office of Mr. Shanmugam and meeting him and his colleagues on Tuesday

By going to the rebel leader’s workplace to talk with him and his partners

Part 6

has indicated

Has shown or suggested

Part 7

where his sympathies lie

Which group he favors or supports

Sentence 6 of 15

This appears to be part of Mr. Vijay’s political outreach, as he has met DMK chief M.K. Stalin and several other leaders in the past two days.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This

The act of the Chief Minister visiting the rebel leader’s office

Part 2

appears

Seems to be

Part 3

to be part of Mr. Vijay’s political outreach

To be a step in his plan to connect with different political leaders

Part 4

as he has met DMK chief M.K. Stalin and several other leaders in the past two days

Because he has also seen the head of the DMK party and other important politicians recently

Sentence 7 of 15

It carries political significance, as the Chief Minister is due to move a trust vote in the House on Wednesday.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The current political situation and meetings

Part 2

carries

Has or holds

Part 3

political significance

Importance in the world of politics

Part 4

as the Chief Minister is due to move a trust vote in the House on Wednesday

Because the leader of the state will ask the assembly to vote on whether they still support him tomorrow

Sentence 8 of 15

Unlike previous occasions when the AIADMK publicly announced the election of its legislature party leader and other functionaries, there has been no official announcement this time.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Unlike previous occasions when the AIADMK publicly announced the election of its legislature party leader and other functionaries

Differently from other times when the party openly told everyone who their leaders and officers were

Part 2

there

A word used to start the sentence about existence

Part 3

has been

Has existed or occurred

Part 4

no official announcement

No formal or public statement from the party leadership

Part 5

this time

On this particular occasion

Sentence 9 of 15

However, the Palaniswami camp claims that at a May 9 meeting, all 47 legislators gave written consent to the effect that the former Chief Minister is the AIADMK legislature party’s leader.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

However

But, on the other hand

Part 2

the Palaniswami camp

The group of people supporting Edappadi K. Palaniswami

Part 3

claims

States something as a fact, though others might disagree

Part 4

that at a May 9 meeting, all 47 legislators gave written consent to the effect that the former Chief Minister is the AIADMK legislature party’s leader

That during a meeting on May 9, every MLA agreed in writing that EPS is their official leader in the assembly

Sentence 10 of 15

It also cites the Supreme Court verdict in the Shiv Sena case (May 2023), which held that “the political party, and not the legislature party, appoints the Whip and the Leader in the House”.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The argument or claim made by the Palaniswami camp

Part 2

also

In addition to the previous point

Part 3

cites

Mentions something as an example or proof

Part 4

the Supreme Court verdict in the Shiv Sena case (May 2023)

A legal decision made by India’s highest court regarding a split in the Shiv Sena party

Part 5

which held that “the political party, and not the legislature party, appoints the Whip and the Leader in the House”

Which decided that the main party organization, not just the elected MLAs, has the power to choose the leaders in the assembly

Sentence 11 of 15

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

As Mr. Palaniswami is also the general secretary

Because EPS holds the top position in the party organization

Part 2

his supporters

The people who are on EPS’s side

Part 3

argue

Give reasons to support their view

Part 4

that there is no need to take cognisance of the other faction’s office-bearer announcements

That they don’t have to pay attention to or accept the leaders chosen by the rival group

Part 5

given that he has appointed his nominee as the legislature party whip

Considering that he has already chosen his person to enforce discipline among the MLAs

Sentence 12 of 15

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The Palaniswami group

The faction led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami

Part 2

also

In addition to their other actions

Part 3

appears

Seems to be

Part 4

to be preparing to move the Speaker for disqualification of rebel legislators under paragraph 2(1)(b) of the 1985 anti-defection law

To be getting ready to ask the assembly head to remove the rebel members from their posts using a specific legal rule from 1985

Part 5

in case the dissidents violate the whip by voting against the government

If the people who disagree with the leader don’t follow the party’s order and vote against the ruling group

Sentence 13 of 15

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

One option for the Shanmugam-Velumani faction

One possible choice for the group led by the two former ministers

Part 2

Is (the linking verb)

Part 3

to merge with the TVK

To join their group with the party led by Vijay

Part 4

if it secures the support of 32 legislators

If they manage to get 32 assembly members to agree (which is the required 2/3rd majority to avoid legal trouble)

Part 5

Just like what happened when 7 out of 10 members of the AAP party in the upper house joined the BJP, which was accepted by the leader of that house

Sentence 14 of 15

In the case of the AIADMK, Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar may soon have to draw on his experience and legal advice to assess the merits of the two groups’ claims.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In the case of the AIADMK

Regarding the situation with the AIADMK party

Part 2

Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar

The official who leads the state’s legislative assembly

Part 3

may soon have to draw on

Might need to use or rely on

Part 4

his experience and legal advice

What he has learned over time and the professional opinions of lawyers

Part 5

to assess the merits of the two groups’ claims

To decide how fair or legally correct the arguments of both sides are

Sentence 15 of 15

Whatever he decides, the churn in Tamil Nadu politics is likely to continue for some time.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Whatever he decides

No matter what choice the Speaker makes

Part 2

the churn in Tamil Nadu politics

The state of confusion and constant change in the political environment of Tamil Nadu

Part 3

is likely

Is probably going to happen

Part 4

to continue for some time

To keep happening for a while longer

Reading Comprehension

Practice questions based on this editorial

Reading Comprehension - AIADMK Split

Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about the AIADMK split and Tamil Nadu politics.

5 Questions Passing: 70%

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Split wide open: On the AIADMK, Tamil Nadu politics

Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension - AIADMK Split

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