Chennai, May 28

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader and Tamil Nadu Minister Aadhav Arjuna on Thursday claimed that nearly 90 per cent of AIADMK functionaries and grassroots cadres were prepared to join the ruling TVK, signalling what he described as a major political realignment in the State.

He made the remarks while addressing a merger function at the party headquarters in Panaiyur, where members from several smaller political and trade union organisations formally joined the Vijay-led party.

More than 100 persons, led by Anna Trade Union president Kamalakannan, were inducted into the party in the presence of senior TVK leaders, including party general secretary and Minister N. Anand.

Speaking at the event, Aadhav Arjuna said TVK had rapidly emerged as the dominant political force in Tamil Nadu after forming the government and claimed the party was attracting leaders and cadres from across the political spectrum.

“Last month, we held discussions with several leaders and told them that another round of talks would take place after the formation of the government. Today, that has become a reality,” he said.

The Minister praised senior leader K.A. Sengottaiyan and said critics who questioned his decision to join TVK had now been proven wrong.

“After M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa, it is Vijay who has entered Fort St. George and formed the government,” he said.

Aadhav Arjuna accused both the DMK and AIADMK of failing to provide effective governance and alleged that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had already begun dismantling corruption and commission-based politics in the State.

Rejecting allegations of horse trading, he said legislators joining TVK were doing so voluntarily and were even prepared to resign and seek a fresh mandate from the people.

Predicting further defections in the coming weeks, Aadhav Arjuna declared that “within one month, 90 per cent of AIADMK members will join TVK.”