Major Setback for AIADMK as Four Former Ministers Join Ruling TVK

June 6, 2026

Chennai, June 6: The AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), a major opposition party in Tamil Nadu, faced a significant blow on Saturday when four former ministers and senior leaders defected to the ruling Tamilaga Vetrik Katchi (TVK). This shift comes amid ongoing internal strife and a mass exodus of leaders following a disappointing performance in the recent assembly elections.

Former ministers Udumalai K. Radhakrishnan, M.C. Sampath, Kadambur C. Raju, and N.R. Shivapathi officially joined TVK at the party headquarters in Chennai, in the presence of General Secretary N. Anand and Campaign Management Secretary Aadhav Arjuna.

This defection is considered the largest political shift from AIADMK since the formation of the government led by actor Vijay. The event highlights the growing discontent within the party, particularly after their poor showing in the assembly elections held on April 23. Many leaders and party workers have expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s direction and leadership following the electoral defeat.

The crisis within AIADMK became apparent when 25 of its MLAs defied the party whip to support Chief Minister Vijay during a confidence vote in the assembly. This incident revealed deep divisions within the party. Although the rebel faction later reconciled with party General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the exodus of leaders and workers has continued.

Previously, four rebel MLAs had also left AIADMK to join TVK. Following this, several district-level officials, former legislators, and grassroots workers have also aligned themselves with the ruling party.

The four leaders who joined TVK on Saturday had faced defeats in the recent assembly elections. Udumalai Radhakrishnan finished third in the Udumalpet constituency, M.C. Sampath also placed third in Kadalur, while Kadambur Raju lost in the Kovilpatti constituency.

On May 29, over 300 members of AIADMK had already joined TVK at the party headquarters in Panaiyur, including former ministers Vellamandi Natarajan and Anandhan, along with several former legislators.

Political analysts believe that the ongoing defections from AIADMK signal the increasing influence of TVK, making it a significant challenge for the opposition party to regain its political footing.