More than 150 MDMK leaders join DMK, a day after party snapped ties

In a significant political shift, more than 150 leaders and cadres from the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), led by Vaiko, have joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The induction ceremony took place at the DMK headquarters in Chennai in the presence of party chief M.K. Stalin.

This development occurs just a day after the MDMK ended its long-standing association with the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance. The functionaries who switched allegiance hail from various districts, including Sivaganga, Tiruvallur, Virudhunagar, and Tirupur, bolstering the DMK's organizational strength in these regions.

Among the key figures who joined the DMK are Sivaganga district secretary Se. Sevanthiyappan, Tiruvallur district secretary T.R.R. Senguttuvan, MDMK propaganda secretary Azhagusundaram, Virudhunagar district secretary R.M.S. Sekhar, and MDMK state deputy secretary (election works) ‘Thanjavur’ Viduthalaivendhan. Senior DMK leaders, including treasurer T.R. Baalu, principal secretary K.N. Nehru, and deputy general secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, were present during the induction.

While MDMK leaders did not respond to inquiries about the cadre's switch, recent events suggest internal dynamics. MDMK chief Vaiko and his son, MP Durai Vaiko, have been meeting with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. Earlier this month, Durai Vaiko expressed regret that MDMK MLAs could not support the TVK party in the assembly as they had contested under the DMK symbol. The MDMK currently has two MLAs in the Tamil Nadu assembly.