Vaiko's MDMK loses over 150 leaders to DMK a day after quitting alliance
More than 150 MDMK functionaries joined the DMK at Anna Arivalayam before M K Stalin on Sunday. The crossover, coming a day after the alliance split, deepens the setback for Vaiko's party.
More than 150 functionaries of the MDMK, including state leaders, district secretaries, advocates and students, formally joined the DMK on Sunday in a setback for Vaiko-led party. The move came a day after the MDMK general council announced that it was snapping ties with the DMK.
The defections took place at the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, where the leaders joined the party in the presence of DMK president and former Chief Minister M K Stalin, according to a press release. The shift strengthens the DMK across several regions, with many of those who crossed over coming from the MDMK's leadership base in Sivaganga, Tiruvallur, Virudhunagar and Tirupur districts.
Those who led the move included high-level committee members and district secretaries such as Pulavar S Sevanthiyappan from Sivaganga, TRR Senguttuvan from Tiruvallur, propaganda secretary Thiruparankundram Azhagusundaram and RMS Sekhar from Virudhunagar.
A group of 40 students from Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University also joined the DMK along with the senior leaders, indicating a coordinated shift from the MDMK's youth and student wings.
In a resolution passed at its meeting here, the MDMK alleged that after the Tamil Nadu Assembly election results were announced on May 4, 2026, it had become clear that "behind-the-scenes political deals" had gone against the mandate given by the people. It further claimed that it was an open secret that "arrangements" had been made to install an AIADMK government, though it did not directly name the DMK.
"Therefore, this general council hereby decides to withdraw from the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance. This general council resolves that the party will take appropriate decisions regarding alliances when the elections approach," the resolution said. The MDMK also recalled that it had been part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance for more than eight years.
The developments marked a sharp political turn, with the MDMK ending its alliance with the DMK and, within a day, losing more than 150 functionaries to the rival party.
More than 150 functionaries of the MDMK, including state leaders, district secretaries, advocates and students, formally joined the DMK on Sunday in a setback for Vaiko-led party. The move came a day after the MDMK general council announced that it was snapping ties with the DMK.
The defections took place at the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, where the leaders joined the party in the presence of DMK president and former Chief Minister M K Stalin, according to a press release. The shift strengthens the DMK across several regions, with many of those who crossed over coming from the MDMK's leadership base in Sivaganga, Tiruvallur, Virudhunagar and Tirupur districts.
Those who led the move included high-level committee members and district secretaries such as Pulavar S Sevanthiyappan from Sivaganga, TRR Senguttuvan from Tiruvallur, propaganda secretary Thiruparankundram Azhagusundaram and RMS Sekhar from Virudhunagar.
A group of 40 students from Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University also joined the DMK along with the senior leaders, indicating a coordinated shift from the MDMK's youth and student wings.
In a resolution passed at its meeting here, the MDMK alleged that after the Tamil Nadu Assembly election results were announced on May 4, 2026, it had become clear that "behind-the-scenes political deals" had gone against the mandate given by the people. It further claimed that it was an open secret that "arrangements" had been made to install an AIADMK government, though it did not directly name the DMK.
"Therefore, this general council hereby decides to withdraw from the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance. This general council resolves that the party will take appropriate decisions regarding alliances when the elections approach," the resolution said. The MDMK also recalled that it had been part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance for more than eight years.
The developments marked a sharp political turn, with the MDMK ending its alliance with the DMK and, within a day, losing more than 150 functionaries to the rival party.
