Churn in AIADMK again: Three rebel MLAs quit party, meet TVK's Aadhav Arjuna

In a new twist to the recently concluded Tamil Nadu assembly elections, three AIADMK MLAs met Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J C D Prabhakar on Monday to tender their resignations.

Prabhakar reviewed and accepted their resignation letters stating they were in proper format, as per laid down procedures. "There is no need to mention the reason to step down," he said.

The three AIADMK legislators Maragatham Kumaravel, Sathyabama and Jayakumar, were part of the rebel group led by C Ve Shanmugam and S P Velumani, which voted in favour Vijay-led alliance in the Tamil Nadu assembly during the floor test, defying the party diktat.

Kumaravel had who won from Maduranthakam, Sathyabama from Dharapuram, and Jayakumar from Perundurai on AIADMK tickets. After submitting their resignations, they also met Tamil Nadu minister and influential TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna at his chamber.

It is being speculated that they are likely to join the Chief Minister Vijay's party - Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.

Currently in the house of 233 (1 seat vacated by CM Vijay as he won from two seats), TVK holds 107 seats and has support of Congress' 5 MLAs, Left Bloc's 4 legislators, VCK and IUML's 2 MLAs each and 1 Independent legislators.

In the event of these three resignations, the strength of house has been reduced to 230, and the majority mark is 116. If in bypolls, these three seats and one vacated by CM himself, are won by TVK, Vijay can extend his party's number to 111 falling just 7 short of the absolute majority.