Overview
- Ranjana Nachiyar formally entered the DMK in Chennai on March 19 in the presence of party president and Chief Minister M. K. Stalin.
- Explaining her exit from Vijay’s TVK, she alleged a lack of accountability, difficulty accessing the leader, and repeated disrespect toward women, including remarks around Women’s Day.
- She told reporters Vijay is "surrounded by toxic people" who misguide him, and contrasted TVK’s culture with what she described as DMK’s structure and cadre respect.
- TVK joint general secretary C. T. R. Nirmalkumar dismissed her departure as opportunistic, saying she had recently joined and was seeking a post.
- Separately, Vijay rejected alliance rumours and said TVK will uphold secular and social justice principles as Tamil Nadu votes on April 23, with counting on May 4; analysts say the defection could be a short-term setback for TVK.