Chennai, 28 June

In a political setback to the MDMK, over 150 party functionaries—such as state leaders, district secretaries, advocates and students—formally joined the DMK on Sunday.

The move came a day after the MDMK general council, led by party Chief Vaiko, announced it had snapped ties with the DMK.

The high-profile defections took place at the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, where the leaders pledged allegiance in the presence of DMK President and former CM MK Stalin, a press release stated.

The exit marks a sweeping consolidation for the DMK across several key regions, drawing heavily from the MDMK's core leadership base in Sivaganga, Tiruvallur, Virudhunagar and Tirupur districts.

Leading the exodus were high-level committee members and district secretaries, including Pulavar S Sevanthiyappan (Sivaganga), TRR Senguttuvan (Tiruvallur), propaganda secretary Thiruparankundram Azhagusundaram and RMS Sekhar (Virudhunagar).

A group of 40 students from Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University joined the party alongside the veteran politicians, indicating an organised push to transition the MDMK's youth and student wings into the DMK fold.

In a resolution passed at the meeting held here, the MDMK alleged that after the Tamil Nadu Assembly election results were announced on 4 May 2026, it emerged that “behind-the-scenes political deals” had gone against the mandate given by the people.

It was an open secret that “arrangements” were made to install an AIADMK government, the MDMK alleged without directly naming the DMK.

“Therefore, this general council hereby decides to withdraw from the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance. This general council resolves that the party will take appropriate decisions regarding alliances when the elections approach,” it said.

The MDMK recalled that it had been part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance for over eight years.