CHENNAI: In the wake of a steady stream of AIADMK functionaries and cadres joining TVK, an “overwhelmed” PWD minister Aadhav Arjuna on Thursday said grassroots workers of that party now viewed TVK as the “true AIADMK.” The remarks came after scores of AIADMK functionaries, led by former ministers and MLAs, joined TVK at an event held at the party headquarters in Panaiyur on the city outskirts. The switch overs come in the wake of four AIADMK MLAs formally joining TVK. The induction programme was attended by TVK general secretary N Anand, revenue minister K A Sengottaiyan, Aadhav Arjuna and several senior ministers. Among the prominent leaders who joined TVK were former minister Vellamandi N Natarajan, former DMK MLA J Karunanidhi, Anna trade union secretary K Kamalakannan, and former DGP and MLA R Nataraj. Addressing the gathering, Arjuna said chief minister C Joseph Vijay had earned the confidence of leaders and cadres alike by treating senior leaders with dignity and respect. “Seeing the respect given by CM Vijay to seniors such as Sengottaiyan, cadres feel TVK is the new AIADMK. People are not joining TVK for money, but because of the clean governance provided by the party,” he said. Arjuna alleged that AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami’s decision to align with DMK had triggered widespread dissatisfaction among party cadres. “After Palaniswami decided to join hands with DMK, many AIADMK cadres were upset. Nearly 90% of AIADMK cadres are now ready to join TVK. They see TVK as their future and have accepted Vijay as their only leader,” he said. Calling for sustained outreach, Arjuna said TVK should organise induction events every weekend at its headquarters to welcome new entrants. TVK general secretary Anand assured the new members that they would be given due recognition and responsibilities within the party. “There should be no hesitation among members of other parties in joining TVK. Everyone will be treated with respect and given suitable posts,” he said. Apart from Panaiyur, similar induction programmes were held across the state. In Tiruvallur, AIADMK cadres celebrated their switch to TVK by bursting crackers.
