2 hrs ago
Vijay Appoints Former AIADMK Ministers As TVK Deputy Chiefs
Vijay leads a political party called TVK.
He appointed 15 people to important deputy general secretary positions.
Eleven of them previously served as ministers in AIADMK.
The appointments come after several AIADMK lawmakers joined TVK.
Two constituencies now have special elections called bypolls.
TVK chose former AIADMK lawmakers to contest those seats.
AIADMK says these lawmakers betrayed the party.
TVK denies that it used money or promises to attract them.
TVK chief Vijay appointed 15 new deputy general secretaries, including 11 former AIADMK ministers.
Kadambur Raju, Vellamandi Natarajan and Vaigai Selvan are among the appointees.
The appointments come as six AIADMK MLAs have resigned and joined TVK within months of the Assembly election.
TVK is contesting Madurantakam and Dharapuram bypolls with the same former AIADMK lawmakers as candidates.
TVK denied horse-trading allegations, while AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami urged voters to defeat the TVK candidate.
- Who
- TVK chief Vijay appointed 15 deputy general secretaries, including 11 former AIADMK ministers; six former AIADMK MLAs have joined TVK.
- What
- TVK expanded its leadership and selected former AIADMK lawmakers as candidates for two bypolls.
- Where
- The bypolls are being held in Madurantakam and Dharapuram, Tamil Nadu.
- When
- The appointments were announced amid the 2026 campaign; the bypolls are scheduled for October 6.
- Why
- TVK said the new appointees would support party responsibilities; the appointments also come amid an influx of AIADMK leaders into TVK.
TVK’s Position
AIADMK’s Position
AIADMK lawmakers joining TVK
TVK’s Position
TVK spokesperson M Sathya Kumar said the MLAs resigned voluntarily because they saw no future in AIADMK under Edappadi K Palaniswami’s leadership.
AIADMK’s Position
AIADMK leaders characterize the switches as betrayal and have opposed the former lawmakers contesting against the party.
Horse-trading allegations
TVK’s Position
TVK denies poaching or horse-trading, saying the former AIADMK MLAs were not promised bypoll tickets before joining.
AIADMK’s Position
Opposition allegations argue that the movement of AIADMK lawmakers to TVK raises questions about inducements; the ruling party has rejected the charge.
Choice of bypoll candidates
TVK’s Position
TVK said its leadership selected the same former AIADMK lawmakers because they were considered capable of winning the elections.
AIADMK’s Position
Edappadi K Palaniswami urged Madurantakam voters to defeat the TVK candidate and said he was seeking justice for those who betrayed AIADMK.
Key facts
- New appointments
- 15 deputy general secretaries
- Former ministers appointed
- 11 former AIADMK ministers
- Named appointees
- Kadambur Raju, Vellamandi Natarajan and Vaigai Selvan
- AIADMK MLAs joining TVK
- Six have resigned and joined TVK
- Bypoll constituencies
- Madurantakam and Dharapuram
- Bypoll date
- October 6
- TVK position
- The party denies horse-trading and says the former AIADMK MLAs joined voluntarily
Quotes
M Sathya Kumar
TVK spokesperson
“There was no horse-trading. The resigned AIADMK MLAs were not promised tickets for the by-elections.”
NDTV
“I request the party cadres to extend their full cooperation to the new office-bearers.”
NDTV
Sources
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