AIADMK to seek CBI probe into horse-trading of its MLAs by TVK if activities continue: Agri S.S. Krishnamurthy

Former AIADMK Minister and party whip Agri S.S. Krishnamurthy said on Friday (May 29, 2026) that the AIADMK, led by its general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, would seek a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations of horse-trading involving four of its MLAs by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by its president and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, if the ruling party does not stop such activities immediately.

Addressing a press meet in Tiruvannamalai, Mr. Krishnamurthy said the AIADMK had been losing patience over continued attacks on the party by the TVK, including by its leader and Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Aadhav Arjuna. “The horse-trading charges against the TVK have drawn the nation’s attention. It is not a lottery business, like buying lottery tickets. If the TVK does not stop this [horse-trading of its functionaries], Mr. Palaniswami will seek a CBI probe into the allegations,” he said.

The AIADMK leader alleged that the Minister’s office at the State Secretariat has been converted into the TVK’s party office, where defectors from other political parties, especially the AIADMK, are being inducted into the party by issuing membership cards and shawls. “Mr. Arjuna has not stayed in any party for long. He was removed from the DMK and later from the VCK before he approached Mr. Palaniswami seeking to join the AIADMK as deputy general secretary of the party. However, the AIADMK leader refused to induct him into the party,” he claimed.

‘TVK diverting attention’

Mr. Krishnamurthy also denied the claim made by Mr. Arjuna that the AIADMK and the DMK had tried to forge an alliance in the run-up to the formation of the government in the State. “In no instance has Mr. Palaniswami spoken about forging an alliance with the DMK to form the government. It is a tactic by the TVK to divert the attention of the people of Tamil Nadu from its governance,” he said.

The former AIADMK Minister alleged that there has been a power struggle among top leaders of the TVK, especially between Minister Aadhav Arjuna and senior leader and Minister for Rural Development and Water Resources N. Anand, over who will be second in command after Mr. Vijay. “The TVK could also face a situation similar to that of the AIADMK now. The party should attract people’s support through its work rather than drawing functionaries and cadres from other political parties,” he said.