That Vijayakanth did not ally with Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) did not only annoy the latter, but has also upset thousands of Desiya Murkpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) cadre.

Frustrated over their “Captain’s” decision to join People’s Welfare Front (PWF) in the polls, many cadre, including its senior functionaries have started joining DMK. The latest to quit DMDK on Wednesday was Chennai District Secretary Yuvaraj.

Vijayakanth’s DMDK, which had asserted that it would go it alone in the May 16 Assembly elections, entered into an poll alliance with the four-party PWF on March 23.

Resentment reportedly erupted among DMDK cadre, especially among senior leaders soon after the party’s decision not to ally with DMK.

Considered to be DMDK’s Chennai strong man, Yuvaraj, who joined DMK, said: “Our leader (Vijayakanth) was keen to defeat the ruling AIADMK by joining hands with DMK. However, it was surprise for all of us when he allied with PWF. No point in continuing with the DMDK half-heartedly and work for its winning.”

According to him, during the last week more than five thousand party men, including office bearers and members of DMDK enrolled themselves in the DMK at its headquarters in Chennai and other districts. In addition, DMDK Omalur Taluk Secretary Shanmugam also joined DMK with his supporters along with Yuvraj.

“At least Vijayakanth should have struck to his earlier decision of going it alone. Now, it is too late”, K. Madhivanan, a senior DMDK leader who recently joined DMK, said.

Last Sunday, about 1,500 DMDK cadre led by Tiruchirapalli district leader Amjad Ahmed moved to DMK in the presence of senior leader K.N. Nehru.

Such incidents of party functionaries and leaders were found to be happening across the State since DMK was reportedly targeting the DMDK’s district secretaries and party MLAs.

However, DMDK sources said that it was not worried about its cadres moving to other parties.