Chennai, Aug. 13 -- Dealing a severe blow to the principal Opposition AIADMK ahead of the crucial 2026 Assembly polls due in 8-9 months, senior leader and former Rajya Sabha MP V Maitreyan, considered a close confidante of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, today quit the party and joined the ruling DMK.

He was a three time AIADMK Rajya Sabha member and hailed from the Mylapore cosntituency in the city, which has a predominant Brahmin population.

In a swift move, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami expelled him from the party and also from the primary membership of the AIADMK for anti-party activities.

Dr Maitreyan, born on November 21, 1955, was oncologist and had served as a member of the upper house of the Parliam...