Chennai: In an important political move, Dr. R. Mahendran, former Vice President of Makkal Needhi Maiam has officially joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in the presence of DMK President and CM M.K. Stalin at Anna Arivalayam in Chennai, today.
Dr. Mahendran with 11,000 of his supporters joined DMK in the presence of party President MK Stalin at an event organised in Chennai, today evening.
Chennai: In an important political move, Dr. R. Mahendran, former Vice President of Makkal Needhi Maiam has officially joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in the presence of DMK President and CM M.K. Stalin at Anna Arivalayam in Chennai, today.
Along with Dr. Mahendran were 73 others from MNM including Padmapriya, the MNM's MLA Candidate for Maduravoyal, joined the DMK at an event organised at Anna Arivalayam in Chennai on Thursday evening.
Top DMK functionaries including T.R. Balu, R.S. Bharathi, Minister K.N.Nehru General Secretary, Duraimurugan, Youth wing secretary, Udhayanidhi Stalin, MP A. Rasa, Pollachi Dr. Varadharajan and others were present.
Speaking at the event, DMK President and CM MK Stalin welcomed Dr. Mahendran and quoted Actor Rajnikanth's famous dialogue, "Late ah vandhalaum latest ah vandhirukean."
He added Dr. Mahendran joining in DMK is a bit late, it should have happened prior to the elections. "Nevertheless, we are hopeful that Dr. Mahendran's addition will help the party to make an impetus in Coimbatore belt", DMK President, MK Stalin said.
"Performance by DMK in the last two months has set a 20 year strong base for the party. Since my entry into politics, three years back, I always wanted to engage in active politics and serve the people. I have always had great respect towards DMK's ideology and policy, hence, I have joined the party with immense pride with a honest intention to serve as a ordinary party member. And same is with the 78 of them who have joined along with me", said Dr. R. Mahendran.
He also commended DMK President MK Stalin for his relentless contribution to the party from his start, as party's youth wing, President, Mayor, MLA, Deputy CM. "His hard work is an inspiration for those who politics", he lauded.
Dr. Mahendran has also submitted a record of 11,000 others (mostly from MNM) expressing their consent to enrol themselves in DMK. It is said that due to Covid restrictions, all 11,000 people were unable to take part in the event, however in due course of time, they will be enrolling themselves in DMK , said sources.
However, no official announcement has been made on the post offered to Dr. Mahendran in DMK. However, it is speculated that he would be vested with an important portfolio.
It maybe recalled that in an recent exodus in MNM party following its poor show in the assembly elections, close confidante of Kamal Haasan and VP of the party, Dr.R Mahendran, called it quits, citing lack of democracy in the party. Several senior functionaries, including former IAS officer Santhosh Babu who contested the polls also quit the party.