AMMK Leaders Defect to DMK in Chennai, Criticize Dhinakaran's NDA Alliance
In a dramatic political development in Chennai, the AMMK party faced a major setback as key leaders, including deputy general secretary S V S P Manickaraja, defected to the DMK on Friday. This move comes just two days after AMMK general secretary T T V Dhinakaran revived ties with the NDA and endorsed AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami as the front's chief ministerial candidate, signaling deep internal rifts within the party.
Defection at Anna Arivalayam
The defection ceremony took place at the DMK party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, in the presence of Chief Minister M K Stalin. Alongside Manickaraja, three district secretaries from south Tamil Nadu—representing Tenkasi North, Kanyakumari West, and Central districts—also joined the DMK, marking a significant blow to AMMK's organizational strength in the region.
Manickaraja's Strong Criticism
Speaking to reporters, Manickaraja did not mince words in his criticism of Dhinakaran's decision. He asserted that the core ideology of AMMK, which was founded eight years ago, had been "defeated" by the move to return to the NDA fold. Describing his switch to DMK as a "return to parent body," he emphasized that DMK represents the true ideological roots of Dravidian politics, praising Stalin's leadership in this context.
Manickaraja revealed that several AMMK functionaries are unhappy with Dhinakaran's alignment with the NDA and his endorsement of Edappadi K Palaniswami. "I conveyed my opposition to this move directly to him, but it was in vain," he stated, highlighting the futility of internal dissent within AMMK.
Implications for AMMK
This defection exposes a growing rift within AMMK, with Manickaraja predicting an exodus of cadres and functionaries in the coming days. The loss of key leaders from south Tamil Nadu could weaken AMMK's grassroots presence and influence, particularly in districts like Tenkasi and Kanyakumari, where the party had established a foothold.
The timing of this move is crucial, as it follows closely on the heels of Dhinakaran's strategic alliance with the NDA, suggesting that not all party members are on board with this political shift. This development adds a new layer of complexity to Tamil Nadu's political landscape, potentially reshaping alliances and voter dynamics ahead of future elections.
As the dust settles, observers are keenly watching how AMMK will respond to this internal crisis and whether more defections will follow, further destabilizing the party's structure and electoral prospects.
