Kanimozhi Slams 'Washing Machine' Politics as Defections Hit AIADMK

A metaphor for partisan cleansing has entered Tamil Nadu’s political lexicon. DMK MP Kanimozhi invoked the 'washing machine' trope on Thursday, questioning whether the northern Indian model of political rebranding—where controversial figures shed their pasts upon switching parties—has officially taken root in the state’s increasingly fluid landscape.

Editorial·July 2, 2026·reads: 574

The critique arrived as the AIADMK faced a high-profile exodus to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Former ministers C Vijayabaskar and MR Vijayabaskar publicly pledged their allegiance to the party led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. Both men framed the transition as a strategic pivot toward future public service rather than a retreat from their previous tenures.

C Vijayabaskar pointed to his management of the health sector throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, while MR Vijayabaskar emphasized his infrastructure record in transport. By aligning with TVK, the defectors aim to rebrand their long-standing political careers under the banner of the state's newest power center. Whether this maneuver effectively washes away the baggage of their previous affiliations remains the central point of contention in the ongoing local power struggle.

Kanimozhi Slams 'Washing Machine' Politics as Defections Hit AIADMK

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