Former CPI State deputy secretary C. Mahendran on Thursday (June 18, 2026) joined the TVK, led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

“I joined the party because it is committed to eradicating corruption,” he said.

Mr. Mahendran, once a prominent face of the CPI and editor of Thamarai, the party’s literary magazine, was not holding any position in the party, and was only an honorary member after facing allegations of irregularities.

“He was removed from all party positions at the State council meeting held in Salem in 2023,” said R. Mutharasan, former State secretary of the CPI.

According to Mr. Mutharasan, the allegations against Mr. Mahendran related to his alleged association with a group that sought to take control of the New Century Book House (NCBH), a publishing house run by the party.

“There was an attempt to take over the institution, but we managed to save the book house in time. There was also a proposal to remove him from the primary membership of the party. However, we allowed him to continue as an honorary member,” Mr. Mutharasan said.

Questioning Mr. Mahendran’s move, he said, “If a person is unable to work within the Communist Party [of India], a movement dedicated to the welfare of the poor, how will he be able to work for the TVK?”

Mr. Mahendran’s entry into the TVK comes at a time when the ruling party is seeking to broaden its support base by attracting leaders from across the political spectrum.

CPI State secretary M. Veerapandian said the party respected the freedom of its members, and did not prevent anyone from making their own political choices.

“They are free to continue their journey with the party. If they wish to leave, they are equally free to do so,” he said.

Mr. Veerapandian also pointed out that every person joining the CPI is required to accept a fundamental principle of the organisation.

“When a person becomes a member of the CPI, he or she undertakes that the party’s interests will prevail over individual interests, and that the nation’s interests are more important than the party’s interests,” he said.