MDMK ends nine-year DMK alliance; MLA Senthil Selvan likely to switch sides
Synopsis
After nearly nine years together, the MDMK has formally walked out of the DMK-led alliance — and the split may cost the party one of its only two MLAs. Sirkazhi legislator Senthil Selvan, elected on the DMK's own symbol, is reportedly ready to cross the floor, leaving Vaiko's party with a weakened hand just as Tamil Nadu's Opposition landscape begins a significant reshuffle.
Key Takeaways
MDMK formally ended its nine-year alliance with the DMK at a General Council meeting in Egmore, Chennai on 27 June .
The resolution was adopted under the watch of general secretary Vaiko ; the meeting was chaired by party auditor Arjunaraj .
Senthil Selvan , elected on the DMK 's Rising Sun symbol in 2026 , was absent and is reportedly preparing to join the DMK .
Senthil Selvan is not expected to resign as MLA, as he was elected on the DMK 's symbol.
The MDMK General Council accused the DMK of secretly exploring ties with rival AIADMK , calling it politically unacceptable.
Durai Vaiko 's absence from the meeting has fuelled further speculation about internal divisions within the party.
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) on Saturday, 27 June formally severed its ties with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led alliance in Tamil Nadu, ending a political partnership that had held for nearly nine years. The decision was announced following a meeting of the party's General Council and high-level committee at its headquarters in Egmore, Chennai.
How the Break Was Formalised
The General Council meeting was chaired by party auditor Arjunaraj and attended by MDMK general secretary Vaiko along with other senior leaders. A resolution withdrawing from the DMK alliance was adopted after deliberations on the party's future political course and its reported differences with its long-standing ally.
Notably, two prominent figures were absent from the meeting: Sirkazhi MLA M. Senthil Selvan and Durai Vaiko, whose decisions to stay away have intensified speculation about deepening internal fissures within the party.
Senthil Selvan's Likely Move to DMK
Party sources indicate that Senthil Selvan, one of the MDMK's two legislators elected on the DMK's Rising Sun symbol in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election, is reportedly preparing to formally join the DMK. He had contested and won the Sirkazhi constituency under the alliance arrangement.
According to party insiders, Senthil Selvan has decided not to resign as an MLA. Since he was elected on the DMK's election symbol, he is expected to continue as the legislator from Sirkazhi even if he formally crosses over. Sources within the party said he had been at odds with the leadership's position on several key issues.
The DMK-AIADMK Allegation
The General Council also passed a strongly worded resolution accusing the DMK of attempting to cultivate ties with its long-time rival, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). The resolution described it as 'an open secret' that the DMK had explored the possibility of forging an understanding with the AIADMK — a move the MDMK characterised as politically unacceptable.
This comes amid broader tensions over the MDMK's evolving stance on the ruling Tamil Nadu Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government, which reportedly became a flashpoint for differences between the party leadership and its legislators.
What This Means for Tamil Nadu Politics
The MDMK had contested the Sirkazhi and Kadayanallur Assembly constituencies on the DMK's symbol in the 2026 elections and won both seats. With the formal walkout, Tamil Nadu's Opposition political landscape is set for a significant realignment. The split raises questions about the viability of smaller parties within large alliance structures when post-election differences emerge over governance and political positioning.
Whether the MDMK now gravitates toward a new alliance or charts an independent course will be closely watched as the state heads toward future electoral battles.
Point of View
The alliance was always more structural dependency than ideological partnership. Vaiko's decision to walk out while potentially losing one of his two legislators to the very party he is leaving exposes the limits of small-party leverage in Tamil Nadu's coalition arithmetic. The DMK-AIADMK allegation, whether true or tactical, signals that the MDMK is framing its exit as a principled stand — but the optics of a near-empty bench make that argument harder to sustain. The real story here is not the split, but what becomes of the MDMK's political relevance without Assembly numbers.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the MDMK exit the DMK alliance?
The MDMK formally withdrew from the DMK-led alliance on 27 June after its General Council adopted a resolution citing differences over political direction and the party's stand on the ruling TVK government. The party also accused the DMK of secretly exploring ties with the AIADMK, which it described as politically unacceptable.
Who is Senthil Selvan and why is his move significant?
M. Senthil Selvan is the MDMK MLA from Sirkazhi, elected in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election on the DMK's Rising Sun symbol. His reported decision to join the DMK is significant because it would leave the MDMK with just one legislator, and he is expected to retain his MLA seat since he was elected on the DMK's symbol.
Will Senthil Selvan have to vacate his MLA seat if he joins the DMK?
According to party insiders, Senthil Selvan is not expected to resign as an MLA. Since he contested and won the Sirkazhi seat on the DMK's election symbol, he is likely to continue as the legislator even after formally joining the DMK.
What did the MDMK resolution say about the DMK and AIADMK?
The MDMK General Council passed a resolution claiming it was 'an open secret' that the DMK had explored the possibility of forging an understanding with its long-time rival, the AIADMK. The MDMK described any such move as politically unacceptable and cited it as a reason for the split.
What does the MDMK split mean for Tamil Nadu's political landscape?
The MDMK's exit from the DMK-led alliance is expected to trigger a significant realignment in Tamil Nadu's Opposition space. With the party now holding at most one secure legislative seat, its bargaining power is diminished, and its future alliance options — whether independent or with another front — remain unclear ahead of future elections.
