CHENNAI: In a significant political development, SVSP Manickaraja, southern zone lieutenant of TTV Dhinakaran, on Friday joined the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in the presence of party president and Chief Minister MK Stalin.
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Ahead of his induction into the DMK, Manickaraja was removed by Dinakaran from all party posts, including the primary membership of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazagam (AMMK).
Political observers said the development could come as a major relief to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), particularly to former Minister and Kovilpatti MLA Kadambur C Raju.
Sources said that had Manickaraja continued in the AMMK, Dhinakaran was likely to stake claim to the Kovilpatti Assembly constituency for his loyalist as part of the NDA alliance. It may be recalled that Dhinakaran had unsuccessfully contested against Raju in the 2021 Assembly election.
With Manickaraja’s exit from the AMMK and his entry into the DMK, the possibility of such a demand has effectively been ruled out, providing considerable political relief to the AIADMK in the region, observers said.