In Coimbatore, two DMK councillors joined AIADMK and a CPI councillor quit citing internal issues, ahead of upcoming local body elections, signalling shifts in political dynamics within the city corporation.
Coimbatore:
In a setback to the ruling DMK in Coimbatore, three city corporation councillors — two from the DMK and one from its ally CPI — have quit their respective parties, with the two DMK members subsequently joining the AIADMK.
The councillors who switched sides include S Rajalakshmi from Ward 77 (Selvapuram) and M Rajendran from Ward 91 (Sugunapuram), both of whom were associated with the DMK. These wards fall under the Thondamuthur Assembly constituency, considered a stronghold of former AIADMK Minister SP Velumani.
Apart from them, TA Karunanidhi, a local body representative linked to the Thondamuthur region, and Yuvaraj, Deputy Chairman of Karumathampatti Municipality from the Congress, have also joined the AIADMK, further strengthening the party’s local base.
Supporters of the defecting councillors cited internal disagreements with district-level leadership as the reason behind their exit. Rajendran, who had been with the DMK for nearly four decades, stated that he felt sidelined by newly appointed district leadership despite his long-standing contributions.
Meanwhile, CPI councillor T Mohan resigned from the party after ending a 15-year association, alleging marginalisation within the organisation. He has announced plans to continue as an independent councillor for now and take a decision on his political future later.
Political observers note that these developments come at a crucial time, with urban local body elections expected within a year after the Assembly polls. The shift is likely to influence the balance of power within the Coimbatore Corporation council.
The DMK and its allies had dominated the 2022 urban local body elections, winning 96 out of 100 wards. However, recent internal dissent, particularly in the Thondamuthur region, appears to have opened space for the AIADMK to regain ground.
With the addition of the two councillors, the AIADMK’s strength in the corporation council has increased, and party sources indicate that more defections could follow in the coming months.
DMK functionaries, however, downplayed the development, stating that those who left had already been sidelined due to their performance, and that such political shifts are common ahead of elections.
In a setback to the ruling DMK in Coimbatore, three city corporation councillors — two from the DMK and one from its ally CPI — have quit their respective parties, with the two DMK members subsequently joining the AIADMK.
The councillors who switched sides include S Rajalakshmi from Ward 77 (Selvapuram) and M Rajendran from Ward 91 (Sugunapuram), both of whom were associated with the DMK. These wards fall under the Thondamuthur Assembly constituency, considered a stronghold of former AIADMK Minister SP Velumani.
Apart from them, TA Karunanidhi, a local body representative linked to the Thondamuthur region, and Yuvaraj, Deputy Chairman of Karumathampatti Municipality from the Congress, have also joined the AIADMK, further strengthening the party’s local base.
Supporters of the defecting councillors cited internal disagreements with district-level leadership as the reason behind their exit. Rajendran, who had been with the DMK for nearly four decades, stated that he felt sidelined by newly appointed district leadership despite his long-standing contributions.
Meanwhile, CPI councillor T Mohan resigned from the party after ending a 15-year association, alleging marginalisation within the organisation. He has announced plans to continue as an independent councillor for now and take a decision on his political future later.
Political observers note that these developments come at a crucial time, with urban local body elections expected within a year after the Assembly polls. The shift is likely to influence the balance of power within the Coimbatore Corporation council.
The DMK and its allies had dominated the 2022 urban local body elections, winning 96 out of 100 wards. However, recent internal dissent, particularly in the Thondamuthur region, appears to have opened space for the AIADMK to regain ground.
With the addition of the two councillors, the AIADMK’s strength in the corporation council has increased, and party sources indicate that more defections could follow in the coming months.
DMK functionaries, however, downplayed the development, stating that those who left had already been sidelined due to their performance, and that such political shifts are common ahead of elections.