Chennai, June 20
In a significant boost to the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), former AIADMK minister Gomathi Srinivasan on Saturday joined the Vijay-led party along with around 2,500 leaders and cadres drawn from various political parties and public organisations. The induction ceremony was held at the party headquarters in Panaiyur on Chennai’s East Coast Road.
The large-scale enrolment drive comes at a time when TVK is consolidating its position following its landmark victory in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, the party formed the government after winning 108 seats in its maiden electoral contest and ending the long-standing dominance of the DMK and AIADMK in State politics.
Gomathi Srinivasan, who served as a minister in the previous AIADMK government, formally joined TVK in the presence of senior party functionaries. Film director R.V. Udayakumar and actor-politician Mansoor Ali Khan, both previously associated with the AIADMK, were also among the prominent personalities inducted into the ruling party.
The event was attended by TVK General Secretary and Minister N. Anand, along with ministers Sengottaiyan, Aadhav Arjuna and Venkat Ramanan. Addressing the gathering, Aadhav Arjuna welcomed the new members and assured them that the party would provide suitable opportunities and recognition based on their contributions.
Several former legislators also joined TVK, including K.K. Sivasamy of Aruppukottai, M.G.M. Subramani of Thiruvaiyaru, Shanthi Ramu of Coonoor and Dr. Veerapandian of Chengam. Other notable entrants included former DMK Youth Wing executive Venkatesan, former Valasaravakkam Municipal Chairman E.C. Sekar, former TADCO Chairman Kalaiselvan and industrialist V.G.P. Rajakumar.
In another important development, Cumbum MLA Jagannath Mishra formally merged his Our People’s Progress Party with TVK. Mishra, who contested the Assembly election as part of the TVK-led alliance, said the merger was aimed at strengthening the government’s development agenda.
Political observers view the latest defections and merger as further evidence of TVK’s growing influence across Tamil Nadu. Since assuming office, the party has attracted several leaders from rival political formations, including former AIADMK legislators, as it seeks to expand its organisational network and consolidate its political base across the State.
