Cracks In EPS Camp Deepen As Four Former AIADMK Ministers Switch To TVK
Cracks In EPS Camp Deepen As Four AIADMK Ministers Switch To TVK Published By, Last Updated: June 06, 2026, 14:47 IST Four former AIADMK ministers
Cracks In EPS Camp Deepen As Four AIADMK Ministers Switch To TVK Published By, Last Updated: June 06, 2026, 14:47 IST Four former AIADMK ministers and ex MLAs joined ruling TVK in Chennai, latest in a series of defections deepening AIADMKs crisis after its April 23 election defeat A file photo of Tamil Nadu CM and TVK Chief Vijay (PTI) The AIADMK suffered another setback on Saturday as four of its former ministers and e MLAs joined the ruling TVK at the party’s headquarters in Chennai. The leaders who switched sides are Udumalai K Radhakrishnan, MC Sampath, Kadambur C Raju and N R Sivapathi. They were inducted into TVK in the presence of the party’s General Secretary Anand and General Secretary for Election Campaign Management Aadhav Arjuna.
The latest defections come as the AIADMK continues to grapple with internal challenges following its defeat in the April 23 Assembly elections. Defections Since Election Defeat Soon after the election setback, a group of 25 AIADMK MLAs backed a confidence motion moved by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay in the Assembly, defying the party whip. Four of those rebel legislators later resigned from the Assembly and joined TVK before the rebel camp eventually reconciled with AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami. Since then, several AIADMK functionaries have left the party and joined the ruling outfit. The induction of four former ministers is the latest in a series of defections from the opposition party. Ministers Among New Entrants Radhakrishnan had unsuccessfully contested from Udumalpet, while Sampath finished third in the Cuddalore Assembly constituency.
Kadambur Raju was defeated in Kovilpatti. More Leaders Joined Earlier On May 29, more than 300 AIADMK members joined TVK at its Panaiyur headquarters in Chennai. Those who switched sides included former ministers Vellamandi Natarajan and Anandan, along with former MLAs Natraj and Sadhan Prabhakar. K A Sengottaiyan was among the earliest prominent AIADMK leaders to join TVK and had publicly backed Vijay well before the elections. The latest round of defections is expected to add to the challenges facing the AIADMK leadership as it seeks to rebuild the party after its electoral defeat. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom.
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