SS Vaigaichelvan joins TVK, calls AIADMK right party under wrong leader
Former AIADMK minister SS Vaigaichelvan joined the TVK a day after quitting the party. His exit, along with other inductions, sharpens pressure on the AIADMK leadership.
Former AIADMK minister SS Vaigaichelvan joined the ruling TVK on Saturday, a day after quitting the AIADMK, and launched a sharp attack on the Edappadi K Palaniswami-led party. He described the AIADMK as a "right party under a wrong leader" and said he and others had left because of "bitterness, wounds and tears".
Former legislator V P Kalairajan, who quit the DMK, was also among those who joined the TVK. After joining the party, Vaigaichelvan praised TVK founder-chief Vijay as a "chosen leader of our times" and said there was a need for his leadership for decades to come.
Speaking to reporters after joining the TVK, Vaigaichelvan, a former AIADMK literary wing functionary and spokesperson, said, "The chief minister is a very good leader." He added, "He spoke sweetly and softly; he tried to understand our views on issues such as the Mekedatu dam proposal of Karnataka (strongly opposed by Tamil Nadu)."
Asked about his decision to leave the AIADMK, Vaigaichelvan said he and others had to quit due to some "bitterness, wounds and tears". He further said: "AIADMK is a right party under a wrong leader (AIADMK Edappadi K Palaniswami)."
Well-known actor and AIADMK functionary Ravi Mariya was among the others who joined the TVK at the party headquarters in Panaiyur near Chennai. Kalairajan, before joining the DMK years ago, had also held positions in the AIADMK and in TTV Dhinakaran-led Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam.
On July 3, 2026, Vaigaichelvan had accused the AIADMK leadership of "prioritising self-interest over the well-being of the party and the cadres". He had also alleged that the party leadership was trying to "make compromises" with the DMK. C Vijayabaskar and M R Vijayabaskar were among the former AIADMK ministers who recently joined the TVK, adding to the party's latest round of inductions.
With Vaigaichelvan, Kalairajan, Ravi Mariya and others joining the TVK, the latest political shift also comes against the backdrop of Vaigaichelvan's criticism of the AIADMK leadership and his public endorsement of Vijay's leadership.
Former AIADMK minister SS Vaigaichelvan joined the ruling TVK on Saturday, a day after quitting the AIADMK, and launched a sharp attack on the Edappadi K Palaniswami-led party. He described the AIADMK as a "right party under a wrong leader" and said he and others had left because of "bitterness, wounds and tears".
Former legislator V P Kalairajan, who quit the DMK, was also among those who joined the TVK. After joining the party, Vaigaichelvan praised TVK founder-chief Vijay as a "chosen leader of our times" and said there was a need for his leadership for decades to come.
Speaking to reporters after joining the TVK, Vaigaichelvan, a former AIADMK literary wing functionary and spokesperson, said, "The chief minister is a very good leader." He added, "He spoke sweetly and softly; he tried to understand our views on issues such as the Mekedatu dam proposal of Karnataka (strongly opposed by Tamil Nadu)."
Asked about his decision to leave the AIADMK, Vaigaichelvan said he and others had to quit due to some "bitterness, wounds and tears". He further said: "AIADMK is a right party under a wrong leader (AIADMK Edappadi K Palaniswami)."
Well-known actor and AIADMK functionary Ravi Mariya was among the others who joined the TVK at the party headquarters in Panaiyur near Chennai. Kalairajan, before joining the DMK years ago, had also held positions in the AIADMK and in TTV Dhinakaran-led Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam.
On July 3, 2026, Vaigaichelvan had accused the AIADMK leadership of "prioritising self-interest over the well-being of the party and the cadres". He had also alleged that the party leadership was trying to "make compromises" with the DMK. C Vijayabaskar and M R Vijayabaskar were among the former AIADMK ministers who recently joined the TVK, adding to the party's latest round of inductions.
With Vaigaichelvan, Kalairajan, Ravi Mariya and others joining the TVK, the latest political shift also comes against the backdrop of Vaigaichelvan's criticism of the AIADMK leadership and his public endorsement of Vijay's leadership.
