CHENNAI, Oct. 1 -- Former minister and seasoned AIADMK leader S Semmalai formally joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) alongside a host of his supporters at party chief C Joseph Vijay's rally at Dharapuram on Wednesday.

The rally was held to drum up support for TVK's bypoll candidate and ex-AIADMK leader P Sathyabama.

Hailing from Salem district, considered as one an AIADMK stronghold, he served as a minister in the late J Jayalalithaa led-cabinet elected in 2001. After emerging victorious as an independent candidate in 1984 Taramangalam assembly, he later joined AIADMK in 1984. He was not given a ticket in the 2026 assembly polls.

Semmalai had indictated to reporters of his plans to join the TVK in May.

"After the demise ...