Former Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) MLA Panaiyur Babu has joined the DMK, with the induction held at Anna Arivalayam in the presence of party president M.K. Stalin.
In the last Assembly election, the VCK contested eight seats as part of the DMK-led alliance. Three sitting MLAs—Aloor Sha Nawaz, S.S. Balaji and Panaiyur Babu—were denied tickets, triggering discontent within the party. While Balaji was pacified with a party post, the other two remained dissatisfied.
The VCK later won two seats and went on to join the alliance government led by actor Vijay, a move that reportedly caused resentment among sections of the DMK cadre, though senior leaders did not openly express it.
Against this backdrop, Panaiyur Babu quit the VCK after levelling various allegations against its leader Thol. Thirumavalavan. DMK members are interpreting his induction as a political message aimed at countering Thirumavalavan, who they say has spoken in support of the Vijay government.
