"Decoding AIADMK's Internal Fractures: Vijay's TVK Gains Support on RAJNEET"

AIADMK's internal fractures out in the open, Shanmugam-led bloc of MLAs declares support for Vijay's TVK In a major development that has left the AIADMK on the brink of a full-blown crisis, a bloc of around 30-36 MLAs led by senior leader K.A. Sengottaiyan's loyalist and former Revenue Minister R.B. Udhayakumar's confidant, R Vaithilingam's ally, and former Fisheries Minister, D. Jayakumar's supporter, P. Shanmugam, has come out in open support of Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami's rival, O. Panneerselvam's faction leader, Edappadi K. Palaniswami's close ally and former Revenue Minister R.B. Udhayakumar's supporter, R Vaithilingam's rival, and former Fisheries Minister, D. Jayakumar's ally, M. Thambi Durai, has not been named as the leader who has been named as the leader of the Shanmugam bloc but R Vaithilingam has been named in this news story. This development has sparked widespread speculation about the future of the AIADMK and its possible merger with the Tamil Maanila Congress, a party floated by former Union Minister G.K. Vasan. The Shanmugam bloc made its intentions clear by holding a meeting with the rival faction leader, O. Panneerselvam, and declaring its support for the TVK government. The move is seen as a major blow to Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who has been struggling to keep his faction intact. The internal rifts within the AIADMK have been brewing for months, with two main factions vying for control of the party. The faction led by O. Panneerselvam, which has been gaining strength in recent months, has been critical of the leadership of Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, alleging that he has been mishandling party affairs and compromising the party's interests. The faction has also been critical of the party's electoral strategy, particularly in the recent local body elections, where the AIADMK suffered a series of defeats. The party's electoral setbacks, including its poor showing in the recent by-elections, have further weakened the Palaniswami faction