TN: Gomathi Sreenivasan, others join TVK at Chennai event

Chennai, June 20 (IANS) Former All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) minister Gomathi Srinivasan was among a host of political leaders and public figures who joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Saturday, as the party inducted around 2,500 leaders and cadres from various political parties at a function held at its headquarters in Panaiyur on Chennai’s East Coast Road.

The high-profile induction programme comes amid TVK’s growing political influence following its victory in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, the party came to power after defeating both the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and AIADMK and winning 108 seats in its maiden electoral contest.

Gomathi Srinivasan, a former minister in the AIADMK government, formally joined TVK in the presence of senior party leaders. Film director R.V. Udayakumar and actor-politician Mansoor Ali Khan, who had been associated with the AIADMK, also enrolled in the party.

The induction ceremony was attended by TVK General Secretary and Minister N. Anand, along with ministers Sengottaiyan, Aadhav Arjuna and Venkat Ramanan. Addressing the gathering, Aadhav Arjuna assured the new entrants that the party would provide them with due recognition and opportunities.

Several former legislators were also among those who joined the ruling party. They included K.K. Sivasamy of Aruppukottai, M.G.M. Subramani of Thiruvaiyaru, Shanthi Ramu of Coonoor and Veerapandian of Chengam.

Former DMK Youth Wing executive Venkatesan, former Valasaravakkam Municipal Chairman E.C. Sekar, former TADCO Chairman Kalaiselvan and industrialist V.G.P. Rajakumar were also inducted into the party.

TVK has witnessed a steady influx of leaders from rival parties since assuming office. Political observers view the latest round of inductions as a sign of the party’s expanding influence across the state.

Earlier, four former AIADMK MLAs had resigned from their positions and joined the Vijay-led party.

During the Assembly election campaign, Vijay had promised that all major poll assurances would be implemented in phases after assuming office. Since coming to power, the government has announced measures, including 200 units of free electricity for eligible households and a crop loan waiver scheme for farmers.

In another significant development, Jagannath Mishra, the TVK MLA from Cumbum and head of the Our People’s Progress Party, formally merged his organisation with TVK. Mishra contested the Assembly election as part of the TVK-led alliance and was elected.

The latest defections and mergers are expected to further strengthen TVK’s organisational presence as it seeks to consolidate its position in Tamil Nadu politics.

–IANS

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