Who is V Maitreyan? Former AIADMK MP Who Could Boost DMK in Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections

In a significant political shift, V Maitreyan, a senior leader and former Rajya Sabha MP, has left the AIADMK to join the ruling DMK. Maitreyan, once a close ally of the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, made this move ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. His departure is seen as a setback for AIADMK as it prepares for the upcoming polls.

Maitreyan's political journey has been marked by several transitions. He initially joined the BJP in 1991 and held various positions within its Tamil Nadu unit. However, he resigned in 1999 due to disagreements over the party's alliance with DMK. He then joined AIADMK and served three terms in the Rajya Sabha from 2002 to 2019.

Maitreyan's Political History

• 1991 - Joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and rose through the ranks in the Tamil Nadu unit.
• 1999 - Resigned from BJP over its alliance with DMK.
• 2002-2019 - Served three consecutive terms in the Rajya Sabha representing AIADMK.
• 2024 - Briefly returned to BJP before rejoining AIADMK in September.
• 2025 - Quit AIADMK and joined DMK under Chief Minister M K Stalin.

V Maitreyan left AIADMK citing internal confusion within the party and its alliance with the BJP as the main reasons, expressing disappointment over the lack of recognition for his contributions and praising DMK's governance under M K Stalin.

Soon after his DMK entry, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami expelled him for "anti-party activities," marking another chapter in his history of political shifts and reflecting tensions in AIADMK's leadership.

Other Key Defections: A Anwar Raajhaa

Maitreyan is not the only prominent figure to leave AIADMK. His move follows that of senior leader A Anwar Raajhaa, who also quit AIADMK to join DMK, criticising the AIADMK-BJP alliance for alienating minority voters. Raajhaa, a party member since M G Ramachandran founded it in 1972, is expected to strengthen DMK's minority vote base in southern Tamil Nadu.

Why Maitreyan Matters to DMK

V Maitreyan's entry into DMK is viewed as a strategic gain for the ruling party, as he brings decades of political experience, parliamentary exposure, and strong connections among both coastal and urban Tamil Nadu voters. His move signals DMK's growing ability to attract senior opposition leaders ahead of the polls and could sway swing voters dissatisfied with the AIADMK-BJP alliance.

Alongside the recent defection of A Anwar Raajhaa, this shift is expected to weaken AIADMK's hold in certain regions, bolster DMK's outreach to minority communities, and influence undecided voters in closely contested constituencies. Political analysts say these developments reflect the volatile nature of alliances and changing loyalties in Tamil Nadu politics as both DMK and AIADMK prepare for a fiercely contested 2026 Assembly election.