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Jun 18, 2026 Major2
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Senior CPI Leader C. Mahendran Joins Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam
Senior Communist Party of India (CPI) leader C. Mahendran has joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) led by Chief Minister Vijay. Mahendran, who previously contested against former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in 2015, cited the party's anti-corruption stance and commitment to common people's politics as reasons for his move.




Quick Facts
Who
C. Mahendran
What
Joined Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)
When
June 18, 2026
Where
Chennai
- Joined Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)
- Previously contested 2015 R.K. Nagar by-election against Jayalalithaa
- Served as CPI state deputy secretary
- Edited CPI's literary magazine 'Thamarai'
- C. Mahendran
C. Mahendran, a veteran leader of the Communist Party of India (CPI), has joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, in a significant political realignment in Tamil Nadu. He formally became a member of the ruling party on June 19, 2026, at the TVK office in Panaiyur, Chennai, in the presence of General Secretary N. Anand.
Mahendran, who had been with the CPI since 1971, held several key positions, including state secretary of the All India Youth Federation and editor of the party's cultural-literary magazine 'Thamarai'. He served as the state deputy secretary but was sidelined in recent years after failing to secure the state secretary post due to internal factionalism. He contested the 2015 R.K. Nagar by-election against former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and lost.
During his joining ceremony, Mahendran expressed confidence in Chief Minister Vijay's ability to eradicate corruption, stating, "The faith that corruption can be eliminated has been given by Chief Minister Vijay, which is why I have joined TVK." He praised the party for its inclusive politics, saying, "This election has eradicated casteism. TVK has taken up the politics of the common people as envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi, Periyar, and Ambedkar." He described Vijay's recent electoral victory as not just a win for Tamil Nadu but for India as a whole.
Mahendran, who will continue to be identified by his red shawl, is seen as a notable addition to TVK, especially as the CPI has been extending outside support to the Vijay-led government.
Why This Matters
This shift signals a potential realignment of leftist forces in Tamil Nadu, potentially strengthening the ruling TVK's base among traditional communist supporters and undermining the CPI's influence. For readers, it highlights the declining appeal of traditional communist parties in the face of charismatic, anti-corruption leadership.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 1971
WireC. Mahendran joins the Communist Party of India (CPI)
Jan 1, 2015
WireMahendran contests and loses the R.K. Nagar by-election against Jayalalithaa
Jun 18, 2026
WireDinamalar reports Mahendran joining TVK on June 18
Jun 19, 2026
WireMahendran formally joins TVK at the party office in Panaiyur, Chennai, in the presence of General Secretary N. Anand