Politics · India Bureau
Former AIADMK minister Semmalai defects to TVK with supporters
S Semmalai, a veteran AIADMK leader and former minister, formally switched allegiance to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam at a rally in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. The move brings a significant bloc of supporters to the ruling party.
LSN India ·
Senior politician S Semmalai ended his association with the AIADMK and joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) during a party rally in Dharapuram on Wednesday. The defection marked a notable political realignment in the state, with Semmalai bringing a considerable contingent of his supporters into the TVK fold.
Semmalai, who held ministerial portfolios during his tenure with the AIADMK, formalised his switch at a gathering presided over by TVK party chief C Joseph Vijay. The rally in Dharapuram served as the venue for the high-profile political realignment, underscoring the TVK's efforts to strengthen its organisational base ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
The defection represents a significant development in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, as the AIADMK continues to grapple with internal strains and defections. For the TVK, the addition of an experienced political figure with an established support base provides organisational depth as the fledgling party consolidates its position as the ruling dispensation in the state.