Former Tamil Nadu minister M. Semmalai on Thursday, 1 October 2026, predicted further defections from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) after formally joining the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), accusing the party's leadership of sidelining loyal workers and reducing itself to a vehicle of personal control. Semmalai made the remarks at his first press conference in Salem following his switch, offering a detailed account of his grievances and his reasons for rallying behind Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

How the Switch Unfolded

Semmalai had resigned from the AIADMK in May following differences among senior leaders in the aftermath of the Assembly election. His formal induction into the TVK took place at an election campaign rally in Dharapuram, Tiruppur district, on Wednesday, with Chief Minister Vijay personally welcoming the veteran politician by draping him with a party shawl. Speaking in Salem, Semmalai acknowledged that his entry had been delayed despite having made the decision earlier.

What Semmalai Said About the AIADMK

Semmalai alleged that the AIADMK has lacked proper leadership since 2017 and has effectively become a 'limited company' under the control of Edappadi K. Palaniswami. He claimed party workers were not receiving the respect they deserved, and that this disillusionment had already pushed several senior figures to leave. 'Others who remained felt their hard work was being wasted,' he said. Predicting more departures, Semmalai asserted that the AIADMK's ranks would eventually hollow out entirely, particularly among those committed to the legacy of M.G. Ramachandran (MGR).

Why He Backed Vijay

Semmalai described Chief Minister Vijay as 'a good person, a selfless leader, and an able administrator' who had earned a place in people's hearts by presenting himself as a member of every family. He said he was particularly drawn to Vijay's decision to identify former chief ministers C.N. Annadurai and M.G. Ramachandran as his guiding political figures — a framing that Semmalai sees as ideologically grounding. He also praised Vijay's stated commitments to eliminating corruption and curbing bribery, and argued that Vijay had challenged the influence of money, caste, and religion in politics.

Who Is Semmalai

Semmalai is a seasoned Tamil Nadu politician with over four decades of electoral experience. He represented Tharamangalam in Salem district, winning Assembly elections in 1980 and 1984, and later won from Omalur in 2001, serving as Health and Education Minister. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Salem on an AIADMK ticket in 2009 and served as the Tamil Nadu Assembly's pro tem Speaker in 2016. He had also been the AIADMK's chief spokesperson before his resignation.

Political Context: Bypolls on the Horizon

Semmalai's defection arrives at a strategically significant moment. Campaigning is intensifying for the Dharapuram and Madurantakam Assembly bypoll constituencies, both scheduled for 6 October. His presence at the Dharapuram rally — and his subsequent endorsement of Vijay's leadership — is widely seen as an attempt by the TVK to consolidate veteran support ahead of the votes. This is the latest in a series of high-profile exits from the AIADMK that critics argue signal a deepening organisational crisis within the party.