Tamil Nadu politics could see a major shake-up on Thursday, with a large group of AIADMK leaders and workers set to join actor-turned-politician and Chief Minister Thalapathy Vijay's TVK. According to sources, at least five former ministers, around 15 former MLAs and a large number of district and local-level office bearers are expected to switch over together. If the plan goes through as expected, it would mark the biggest organisational expansion the party has seen since it was founded.
The leaders are expected to be formally inducted into TVK at an event being held at a resort in Mamallapuram. Political observers see this as a major organisational boost for Vijay's outfit. The development comes even as the opposition has repeatedly accused TVK of poaching MLAs and indulging in horse-trading in recent times. A defection of this scale, if it happens, could reshape the political equations in Tamil Nadu.
The Names Being Watched
Sources say the list of AIADMK leaders expected to join TVK includes former ministers C. Vijayabhaskar, M.R. Vijayabhaskar, MSM Anandan and S. Valarmathi. Besides these, around 15 former MLAs, several district secretaries, local office bearers and a large number of grassroots workers are also preparing to switch sides. A number of influential AIADMK leaders from Karur and Pudukkottai districts are also expected to be part of the move. Adding to the buzz, Kayalvizhi, daughter of former Union Minister M.K. Alagiri, is also said to be considering joining TVK.
Unease Deepens Inside AIADMK
AIADMK has been grappling with an organisational crisis since its disappointing showing in the recent assembly election. Party chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami's leadership has repeatedly come under question, and discontent among several senior leaders has spilled out into the open. Sources say some of the leaders now linked to TVK have already resigned from their MLA posts or given up their primary membership of the party. That, observers say, points to this being less an individual decision and more a sign of the wider unrest brewing within AIADMK.
Not The First Round Of Defections To TVK
This would not be the first time senior AIADMK faces have crossed over to Vijay's party. Earlier this month itself, four former ministers, MC Sampath, NR Sivapathy, Kadambur C. Raju and Udumalai K. Radhakrishnan, joined TVK. All four had earlier served as ministers under J. Jayalalithaa and later under the E. Palaniswami government. Beyond AIADMK, several DMK leaders and workers have also joined TVK over the past few months. Together, these moves suggest Vijay is not banking solely on his star power, but is actively building his party around experienced politicians and a stronger grassroots organisation.
Will This Make Vijay's Government Stronger
Vijay's party is already in power in Tamil Nadu, and it is now working to consolidate its organisation further by drawing in leaders from rival parties. Political analysts believe that if senior AIADMK leaders and their supporters join TVK in large numbers, it will significantly strengthen the party's presence right down to the district level. That could pay off from the upcoming local body elections all the way to the next assembly election, particularly in areas where AIADMK has traditionally held a strong vote bank and where TVK will now look to build its own foothold.
