AIADMK rebel MLA P.H. Manoj Pandian joined the ruling DMK on November 4, 2025. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
AIADMK rebel MLA P.H. Manoj Pandian joined the ruling DMK on Tuesday (November 4, 2025) in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the Anna Arivalayam, the headquarters of the DMK.
The leader said he would tender his resignation as the MLA on Tuesday evening (November 4).
Mr. Pandian, the son of former Speaker P.H. Pandian, belongs to the faction led by former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam.
His defection is seen as setback to Mr. Panneerselvam, who recently gained the support of K.A. Sengottaiyan, a senior leader and MLA, who was part of the AIADMK headed by former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
With Mr. Pandian voluntarily giving up membership of the AIADMK, he can no longer retain his current Assembly membership, as per provisions of the Representation of People Act.
AIADMK rebel MLA Manoj Pandian joins DMK
Mr. Pandian, a lawyer by training, was elected from Alangulam Assembly constituency in Tenkasi district. In 2021, he represented the Cheranmahadevi Constituency, which also elected his father four times since 1977. He was also the AIADMK’s Rajya Sabha member between 2010 and 2016.
DMK general secretary Duraimurugan, the party’s Parliamentary Party leader Kanimozhi, and former Speaker V. Avudaiyappan were present.
Published – November 04, 2025 11:45 am IST
