India, May 25 -- The AIADMK faced another major setback on Monday after three MLAs from the rebel faction led by C Ve Shanmugam resigned from the party and joined actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

MLAs K Maragatham, D Jayakumar and V Sathyabama submitted their resignations to the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker, further weakening the AIADMK's position in the state legislature.

With the latest resignations, the AIADMK's strength in the 234-member Assembly has fallen to 44. By-elections to the three vacant constituencies are expected within the next six months, along with the Tiruchirappalli (East) seat.

The defections mark the latest phase of internal turmoil within the AIADMK following its disappointing performance i...