AIADMK Suffers Another Blow as Four Former Ministers Join Ruling TVK

Chennai, June 2026: The opposition AIADMK suffered another significant setback on Saturday as four former ministers and senior leaders formally joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), underscoring the continuing erosion of support within the party following its disappointing performance in the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Former ministers and ex-MLAs Udumalai K. Radhakrishnan, M.C. Sampath, Kadambur C. Raju, and N.R. Sivapathi were inducted into TVK at the party headquarters in Chennai. The leaders joined in the presence of TVK General Secretary N. Anand and Election Campaign Management General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna.

The latest defections are being viewed as one of the most significant political developments since the Vijay-led government assumed office, highlighting the growing influence of TVK and the challenges confronting the AIADMK as it attempts to regain political ground.

The AIADMK has been struggling with internal unrest since the Assembly election results, which dealt a severe blow to the party’s ambitions. Dissatisfaction among leaders and cadre members over the party’s future direction has triggered a series of defections and exposed deep divisions within its ranks.

Signs of trouble first emerged when a group of 25 AIADMK legislators voted in support of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay during a confidence motion in the Assembly, defying the party’s official stand. Although the rebel camp eventually reconciled with AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the episode highlighted growing discontent within the organisation.

In the weeks that followed, several leaders, former legislators and local-level office-bearers shifted allegiance to the ruling party. Four rebel MLAs resigned from AIADMK and joined TVK earlier, setting the tone for further departures.

The four leaders who switched to TVK on Saturday are all seasoned politicians with considerable influence in their respective regions. However, each faced defeat in the recent Assembly elections. Udumalai Radhakrishnan lost from Udumalpet, M.C. Sampath finished third in Cuddalore, while Kadambur Raju was defeated in Kovilpatti. Their defeats reflected the broader electoral challenges faced by the AIADMK across the state.

Saturday’s development follows another major induction drive on May 29, when more than 300 AIADMK members joined TVK at its Panaiyur headquarters. The group included prominent leaders such as former ministers Vellamandi Natarajan and Anandan, along with former MLAs Natraj and Sadhan Prabhakar.

Political observers believe the steady flow of AIADMK leaders into TVK signals the ruling party’s expanding political footprint and organisational strength. At the same time, it poses a serious challenge for the AIADMK, which is striving to rebuild its base and restore unity after its electoral setback.

Among the earliest prominent figures to align with TVK was veteran AIADMK leader K.A. Sengottaiyan, who joined hands with Vijay ahead of the elections and later emerged as an influential member of the new administration.

With defections continuing and TVK consolidating its position, the political landscape in Tamil Nadu appears set for further realignment in the months ahead.