The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) is currently facing a significant leadership crisis following its disappointing performance in the April 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, where it secured only 47 out of 234 seats, a drastic decline from the 75 seats it held previously. This electoral setback has prompted a faction led by senior leader C.V. Shanmugam to call for the resignation of General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS). The AIADMK has a history of internal splits, notably after the deaths of its prominent leaders, MG Ramachandran (MGR) in 1987 and J. Jayalalithaa in 2016. The current crisis is reminiscent of past divisions, with Shanmugam's faction reportedly backed by approximately 36 newly elected MLAs. These MLAs have expressed dissatisfaction with EPS's leadership and decision-making, which they believe contributed to the party's electoral failures. Notably, the party has suffered four consecutive electoral defeats under EPS's leadership in 2019, 2021, 2024, and 2026. In a bid to discuss their future, over 30 MLAs recently convened at a resort in Puducherry. While Shanmugam's faction is exploring a potential alliance with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, EPS is striving to maintain party unity and dismisses claims of a split.