V Maitreyan, a three-time Rajya Sabha member and former AIADMK organizational secretary, joined the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Wednesday, expressing dissatisfaction with the AIADMK’s leadership and its ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The defection took place at the DMK headquarters 'Anna Arivalayam' in the presence of Chief Minister MK Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, and senior leaders including Duraimurugan and K N Nehru. Shortly after, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami expelled Maitreyan from the party.

Maitreyan, a 69-year-old medical oncologist, accused the AIADMK of being influenced by “Delhi’s switchboard,” referring to the BJP’s control over key decisions. He criticized the party’s operations, claiming its leadership sidelined talent and followed external directives. “The AIADMK-BJP alliance was announced by Union Minister Amit Shah, not our leaders,” Maitreyan told reporters, highlighting his frustration with the party’s lack of independence. He also described Palaniswami’s recent campaign rallies, which drew large crowds, as “staged” to portray him as a leader comparable to AIADMK founders M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa—a comparison Maitreyan rejected.

Maitreyan’s political path has been eventful. A long-time AIADMK member, he served in the Rajya Sabha from 2002 to 2019. Expelled in 2022 for supporting ousted leader O Panneerselvam, he briefly joined the BJP in 2023 before returning to the AIADMK in September 2024. His latest move follows similar defections by former AIADMK Minister A Anwar Raja and ex-MLA V R Karthik Thondaiman, who also joined the DMK, reflecting growing unrest within the AIADMK.

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Maitreyan pointed to “many confusions” in the AIADMK, particularly regarding leadership and resource allocation. He highlighted the BJP’s proposal for a “Common Minimum Programme” and a coalition government if the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) wins the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, noting contradictions, especially on the state’s two-language policy. “The AIADMK lacks clarity in its stance,” he stated.

Aligning with the DMK’s mission to protect “Tamil land, language, and dignity,” Maitreyan praised Chief Minister Stalin’s leadership and predicted a strong DMK victory in the 2026 elections, potentially securing over 200 of the 234 Assembly seats. Political observers see Maitreyan’s defection as a boost for the DMK, which is strengthening its position ahead of the polls. Meanwhile, the AIADMK faces challenges from internal dissent and defections, weakening its opposition role.

As Tamil Nadu’s political dynamics evolve, Maitreyan’s move highlights the fluid nature of alliances and the increasing influence of regional issues in shaping the state’s political future.

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