Tamil Nadu AIADMK eyes comeback as leaders defect to TVK

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami announced the party will contest the upcoming Madurantakam by‑election, urging cadres to prepare intensively. The call follows recent resignations of six AIADMK MLAs that triggered the poll and reduced the party’s assembly strength from 47 to 41 seats after the 2026 election.

At the same time, four former AIADMK ministers and dozens of other functionaries, representing former district secretaries, MPs, MLAs and party officials, joined the ruling Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) in a ceremony at Mahabalipuram, bringing thousands of supporters. TVK leaders welcomed the defectors, while the rival DMK criticised the move and referenced ongoing corruption investigations. Palaniswami responded by scheduling district‑level consultative meetings with AIADMK functionaries.