AIADMK rebel MLA Manoj Pandian joins DMK

AIADMK rebel MLA P.H. Manoj Pandian joined the ruling DMK on Tuesday (November 4, 2025) in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the Anna Arivalayam, the headquarters of the DMK.

The leader said he would tender his resignation as the MLA on Tuesday evening (November 4). By voluntarily giving up the membership of the AIADMK, he can no longer retain his current Assembly membership, as per provisions of the Representation of People Act.

The AIADMK was no longer the organisation nurtured by MGR and Jayalalithaa, Mr. Pandian said. The party was depending on another political movement, and functioning according to its diktats, he said.

“The AIADMK has thrown to the winds the rules and ideology of founder and leader of the party. It is functioning like a branch of the BJP in Tamil Nadu. Only DMK is upholding the principles and ideology of the Dravidian movement,” he added.

Asked about his meeting with CM Stalin, he said the Chief Minister welcomed him with open arms. “Mr. Edappadi K. Palaniswami is not recognising the dedication and work of the partymen,” he said.

Mr. Pandian, the son of former Speaker P.H. Pandian, belongs to the faction led by former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam. His defection is seen as setback to Mr. Panneerselvam, who recently gained the support of K.A. Sengottaiyan, a senior leader and MLA, who was part of the AIADMK headed by former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami.

Mr. Pandian, a lawyer by training, was elected from Alangulam Assembly constituency in Tenkasi district. In 2021, he represented the Cheranmahadevi Constituency, which also elected his father four times since 1977. He was also the AIADMK’s Rajya Sabha member between 2010 and 2016.

DMK general secretary Duraimurugan, the party’s Parliamentary Party leader Kanimozhi, and former Speaker V. Avudaiyappan were present.