DMK, the ‘preferred destination’ for many former AIADMK functionaries, compared to TVK

The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) seems to beryllium the preferred destination for galore erstwhile members of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) to the fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

In the past six-odd months, those who person joined the ruling enactment included erstwhile Minister— MP A. Anwhar Raajhaa, erstwhile MP V. Maitreyan and erstwhile legislator V.R. Karthik Thondaiman.

Several erstwhile members of the dissidents’ radical led by erstwhile Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam have besides crossed implicit to the DMK. Among them are erstwhile legislator of Palani A. Subburathinam, erstwhile MP and a two-time MLA, P.H. Manoj Pandian and former Urban Development Minister R. Vaithilingam. Mr. Manoj Pandian and Mr Vaithilingam represented Alangulam and Orathanadu respectively till precocious successful the existent Assembly.  

On Friday (January 23, 2026), S.V.S.P. Manickaraja, who was the lawman wide caput of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), joined the DMK successful the beingness of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin astatine the Arivalayam. Earlier successful the day, helium was expelled from the AMMK. 

But, till now, the TVK, being led by histrion Vijay, has been capable to gully lone 2 salient faces from the AIADMK — former School Education Minister and a nine-time legislator K.A. Sengottaiyan and erstwhile MLA of Villivakkam J.C.D. Prabhakar. 

Asked whether the information that the DMK is the ruling enactment has been drafting much erstwhile members of the AIADMK to the former, Mr Subburathinam denied the proposition and asserted that those who person been “wedded to ideals” of the Dravidian question presumption the DMK arsenic the “only susceptible governmental force” to instrumentality connected the BJP, which was utilizing the different Dravidian large arsenic a shield to prosecute its “divisive and communal” agenda.

Mr. Prabhakar, a subordinate of the TVK’s predetermination manifesto committee, claims that portion the AIADMK’s immoderate salient figures person joined the DMK, “thousands and hundreds” of less-known workers of the enactment are “coming” to the caller party.  Besides, those who are “frustrated” with some the parties are becoming members of the TVK arsenic the organisation’s person is simply a “well-meaning” and “people-centric” person, the erstwhile MLA adds.