Former AIADMK Minister R Vaithilingam Resigns and Joins DMK Ahead of Tamil Nadu Polls

Former AIADMK Minister and Orathanad MLA R Vaithilingam resigned from the Assembly and formally joined the ruling DMK in the presence of party leaders including Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. A supporter of ousted AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam, Vaithilingam criticized AIADMK's leadership under Edappadi K Palaniswami and cited DMK's focus on public welfare as reasons for his switch. Expelled from AIADMK in 2022, his defection highlights ongoing divisions within AIADMK ahead of Tamil Nadu elections.