AIADMK Leader Anwhar Raajhaa Switches to DMK

Rapid Summary

• AIADMK’s organisational secretary and former MP, A. Anwhar Raajhaa, has joined the DMK.
• The move occurred in Chennai on July 21, 2025, in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
• Mr. Raajhaa cited concerns over Hindi imposition and threats to State autonomy by the BJP-led central government as key reasons for his decision.
• He criticized AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s ties with the BJP and remarked that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had not named Mr. Palaniswami as a Chief Minister candidate for Tamil Nadu.

Indian Opinion Analysis

A. anwhar Raajhaa’s defection from AIADMK to DMK highlights ongoing political realignments within Tamil Nadu amidst growing tensions over regional autonomy and linguistic identity under BJP governance at the Centre. The criticism leveled against both Edappadi K. Palaniswami and alleged BJP strategies may signal deeper fractures within AIADMK ahead of forthcoming elections, potentially weakening its position among minority communities like those represented by Mr. Raajhaa in Ramanathapuram district.From a broader outlook, this development underscores regional parties’ resistance to perceived centralization efforts that challenge local governance priorities-especially common in southern states like Tamil Nadu which traditionally assert linguistic independence and federal rights.

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