Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Jun 27: The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) on Saturday officially announced its exit from the DMK-led alliance, bringing to a close a political association that had continued for nearly nine years.

The decision was approved during a meeting of the party's General Council and high-level committee at the MDMK headquarters in Egmore, Chennai. The meeting was presided over by the party's auditor, Arjunaraj, in the presence of MDMK General Secretary Vaiko and other senior leaders.

According to party sources, the leadership unanimously adopted a resolution to withdraw from the alliance after reviewing the party's political future and discussing differences that had emerged with the DMK over the past several months.

The announcement comes amid growing speculation that Sirkazhi MLA M. Senthil Selvan, one of the MDMK's two legislators elected on the DMK's Rising Sun symbol in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, is likely to join the DMK.

Senthil Selvan's absence from Saturday's General Council meeting further intensified speculation about his political future. He was elected from the Sirkazhi constituency, while the party's other MLA won from Kadayanallur, with both candidates contesting under the DMK's election symbol as part of the alliance arrangement.

Sources within the party indicated that differences began surfacing after the Assembly elections, particularly over the MDMK's political strategy and its changing position towards the ruling TVK government. Senthil Selvan is also believed to have disagreed with the party leadership on several key issues.

Party insiders said the legislator has no plans to resign from the Assembly. Since he was elected on the DMK's symbol, he is expected to continue as the Sirkazhi MLA even if he formally joins the DMK.

During the meeting, the General Council also adopted a sharply worded resolution accusing the DMK of attempting to improve relations with its long-time political rival, the AIADMK. The resolution alleged that it was widely known within political circles that the DMK had explored the possibility of reaching an understanding with the AIADMK, a move the MDMK termed unacceptable.

Adding to the day's developments, Durai Vaiko was also absent from the General Council meeting, triggering further speculation about possible differences within the party leadership.

With the MDMK formally ending its alliance with the DMK, Tamil Nadu's opposition politics is expected to witness a significant reshaping ahead of future electoral contests, as parties begin recalibrating their alliances and strategies.