Senior CPI Leader C. Mahendran Joins Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam

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.