TVK draws former AIADMK legislators and cadres as party rift eases in Tamil Nadu

More than 300 AIADMK members, including former ministers and MLAs, officially joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) at its Panaiyur headquarters near Chennai. The induction was attended by TVK General Secretary N Anand and ministers Aadhav Arjuna, Sengottaiyan and others, who praised Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s anti‑corruption record and accused the DMK‑AIADMK alliance of a political conspiracy.

In parallel, AIADMK’s internal split appears to be narrowing. Rebel legislators withdrew their letter to the speaker, apologized to party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), and the EPS faction dropped its anti‑defection petition. The party invoked late chief J Jayalalithaa’s legacy and called for unity, even as MLA Esakki Subaya resigned, reducing AIADMK’s strength to 43 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

Minister Aadhav Arjuna also alleged secret negotiations between DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin and AIADMK general secretary Palaniswami to share power and illicit funds, prompting a wave of defections to TVK. Meanwhile, Viralimalai MLA C Vijaya Baskar held consultations on whether to remain in AIADMK, resign, or join TVK, signaling further possible shifts.