DMK's Parithi Ilamvazhuthi and E Ponnusamy, who had quit PMK a few months ago protesting party founder Dr S Ramadoss's strident stand against SC/ST communities on certain issues, joined AIADMK in the presence of party supremo and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa here.
Incidentally, Ilamvazhuthi, a former Minister and popular face in DMK prior to his quitting the Karunanidhi-led party after its May 2011 poll debacle, had faced a vigilance probe after AIADMK assumed power. He had lost the elections to DMDK candidate from Egmore constituency.
A senior leader of PMK prior to his walking out of the party, Ponnusamy was seen as the "Dalit Face" of the party, which claims to largely represent interests of the Vanniyar community.
Recently, Ramadoss had taken a strong stand against Dalits and had been even campaigning against inter-caste marriages involving the two communities. Ponnusamy had walked out of the party protesting this.