Former Tamil Nadu Minister for School Education S.S. Vaigaichelvan, on Friday (July 3, 2026), announced his decision to quit the AIADMK.

In a letter addressed to the party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the former Minister, who was the secretary of the literary wing in the party and a spokesperson, said the party had lost “individuality” by “seeking to compromise itself with the DMK.” It had also “deviated from the path” towards victory.

Mr. Vaigaichelvan, who defeated former Minister and the DMK’s senior leader from the Virudhunagar district K.K..S.S.R Ramachandran in Aruppukottai in 2011, contended that despite not being given ticket to contest in 2026, he had campaigned for the party. He lost in 2016 and 2021 Assembly polls.