Kaliyammal from NTK Women's Wing to Join Vijay's TVK

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kaliyammal resigns from NTK.
- She will join TVK during its anniversary celebration.
- Vijay, the founder of TVK, will welcome her.
- Her departure is linked to disagreements with Seeman.
- TVK plans to contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Chennai, Feb 25 (NationPress) Kaliyammal, the state coordinator for the women's wing of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), has officially left the party and will be joining Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
She resigned from NTK on Monday, and her induction into TVK will take place during the party's first-anniversary celebrations in Mahabalipuram on Wednesday.
The Tamil superstar-turned-politician Vijay, who is the founder and president of TVK, will extend a formal welcome to her.
Kaliyammal, a prominent figure in NTK alongside party leader Seeman, departed due to continuous disagreements with him.
In a poignant letter to NTK members, she expressed her profound sadness over her exit, emphasizing that her six years with the party held more significance to her than her own family.
"With a heavy heart, I write this letter to say goodbye to a journey that has formed a crucial part of my life for the past six years. I have truly cherished every moment in the party, and these years have equipped me with invaluable political insights and relationships that I hold dear as sisters, brothers, and friends," she stated.
She also expressed her gratitude to all party members, leaders, and the Tamil populace.
A senior NTK official connected Kaliyammal's resignation to her deteriorating relationship with chief coordinator Seeman, despite her considerable personal and professional growth within the party.
"This situation, along with the recent departures of state coordinator Jagadeesan Pandian and other key leaders, represents a significant setback for NTK," the official remarked.
On the other hand, Seeman addressed the media, affirming that Kaliyammal had the autonomy to make her own choices and remarked that the party was experiencing a natural transition period.
Kaliyammal, who is well-known for her eloquence and organizational skills, is anticipated to become a valuable asset to TVK.
Vijay officially inaugurated TVK on February 2, 2024, voicing his opposition to corruption and divisive politics. While he opted out of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he announced TVK's plans to contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
On August 22, 2024, Vijay unveiled the party's flag and anthem at the headquarters in Panaiyur, Chennai. The inaugural conference on October 27, 2024, in Vikravandi, Villupuram district, drew approximately three lakh attendees, causing significant traffic congestion and leading to diversions on the Chennai-Tiruchi National Highway.
During this conference, Vijay described the BJP as his ideological opponent and the DMK as his political rival.
He criticized the DMK for being a family-oriented party that exploits the "Dravidian" identity for personal benefit, while condemning the BJP for its "divisive politics".
Vijay's political influence is on the rise. His fan club, the All India Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (AITVMI), made a substantial impact in the 2021 Tamil Nadu local body elections, securing 115 out of the 169 seats contested.
In contrast, Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) and Seeman’s NTK did not win any seats. This electoral achievement has reinforced Vijay’s standing in Tamil Nadu's political arena.
He has also made it clear that TVK will only collaborate with parties that recognize his leadership. Analysts believe this signals Vijay's ambitions for the Chief Minister's position in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.