TVK Secures Major AIADMK Defections Ahead of 2026 Tamil Nadu Election

In early July 2026, Tamil Nadu's ruling party TVK announced a wave of defections from rival AIADMK. Four former AIADMK ministers – C Vijayabaskar, M R Vijayabhaskar, S Valarmathi and M S Anandan – along with several ex‑MLAs and hundreds of party office‑bearers joined TVK at a private resort in Mamallapuram.

The recruitment followed a visit by TVK president and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to the party office in Pannaiyur, where he met newcomers and discussed the allocation of party posts to the incoming members.

TVK leaders claimed the move reflects discontent with AIADMK's alleged alliance talks with the DMK, accusing AIADMK leadership of abandoning the party's original ideals. One speaker suggested that up to 10,000 AIADMK cadres could eventually switch to TVK, describing the current wave as only a “trailer”.

TVK pledged organisational positions to the new entrants, positioning the defections as a strategic realignment before upcoming local‑body elections and the next Lok Sabha polls.