AIADMK defection: In a major setback for Edappadi Palaniswami, more than 300 leaders and members from the AIADMK joined the Vijay-led TVK on Thursday at the party headquarters in Panaiyur near Chennai.
Among those who joined the Vijay-led party were former AIADMK minister Vellamandi Natarajan, former MLA Sadhan Prabhakar, former Mylapore MLA Natraj, Anna Trade Union Federation state secretary Kamalakkannan, Tirupathur city secretary DT Kumar and several other party functionaries.
The induction programme was attended by TVK general secretary N Anand, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Sengottaiyan and Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna.
The development came amid continuing political churn in Tamil Nadu, where TVK has been attempting to expand its organisational base and attract leaders from rival parties. Senior TVK leaders claimed the latest induction reflected growing support for the party among sections of AIADMK workers dissatisfied with the direction of their former organisation.
Addressing party workers, Sengottaiyan hailed TVK’s rise, describing it as a movement that had achieved significant success within a short period. He said the people of Tamil Nadu had accepted a leadership capable of providing clean governance and asserted that party founder Vijay would continue to remain the state’s leader in the years ahead.
Drawing on his political experience, Sengottaiyan said he had worked alongside former Chief Ministers M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa and expressed confidence in TVK’s future.
Aadhav Arjuna defended TVK’s rise in Tamil Nadu politics and criticised both the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and AIADMK. He claimed growing dissatisfaction within the AIADMK had pushed many workers towards TVK after decisions taken by the party leadership following election defeats.
Arjuna also alleged that many AIADMK cadres still emotionally connected to former chief minister J Jayalalithaa were now shifting towards TVK. He claimed more AIADMK functionaries were likely to join the party in the coming weeks.
TVK leaders denied allegations that the party had lured leaders from rival organisations and said all new entrants were being welcomed as members of one family.
Addressing the gathering, N Anand assured the new members that they would receive respect and opportunities within the party. He also expressed confidence about TVK’s performance in upcoming local body elections and said the party would continue to function without corruption.
The event marked one of the largest recent inductions of AIADMK leaders and cadres into TVK, with party leaders projecting it as a sign of the organisation’s growing influence in Tamil Nadu politics.
(With inputs from agencies)
