1 hour ago
Last Updated:January 21, 2026, 11:15 IST
R Vaithilingam, former AIADMK Minister and Orathanad MLA, joined DMK in the presence of MK Stalin, Udhayanidhi Stalin, K N Nehru, and TKS Elangovan after resigning as legislator.
Former AIADMK minister R Vaithilingam (fifth from left) joined the DMK in the presence of Chief Minister MK Stalin in Chennai. (Image: PTI)
Former AIADMK Minister R Vaithilingam on Wednesday called on DMK President MK Stalin and formally got inducted into the ruling party.
A staunch supporter of the ousted AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam, Vaithilingam, an MLA from the Orathanad constituency in Thanjavur district, met Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin, at his party’s headquarters, Anna Arivalayam and joined the party.
Vaithilingam presented a shawl to Stalin in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, senior DMK leaders, including K N Nehru, TKS Elangovan, among others.
Earlier political circles were abuzz with talk of Vaithilingam joining DMK with his supporters.
He reportedly tendered his resignation as a legislator from Orathanad ahead of his decision to join the DMK.
As soon as he arrived at the party office, Vaithilingam was received by DMK leader Senthil Balaji along with DMK supporters.
In 2022, Vaithilingam was expelled from AIADMK along with former chief minister O Panneerselvam and others.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI)First Published:
January 21, 2026, 11:15 IST
News politics Former AIADMK Minister R Vaithilingam Resigns As MLA, Joins DMK Ahead Of Tamil Nadu Polls
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