Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management K.A. Sengottaiyan on Saturday (May 30, 2026) dismissed allegations that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) was indulging in horse-trading and said the party would respond to such charges in the Assembly.

Speaking to reporters at Perundurai after former AIADMK MLA S. Jayakumar joined the TVK, Mr. Sengottaiyan said the party had no need to resort to inducements to attract leaders from other parties. “Mr. Jayakumar and others resigned from their posts before joining the TVK. The party does not require horse-trading. We have won on our own strength,” he said.

Referring to allegations levelled by Opposition parties, Mr. Sengottaiyan said the government would respond to the issue of horse-trading on the floor of the Assembly. The Minister alleged that dissatisfaction within the AIADMK over remarks favouring a possible alliance with the DMK had prompted some members to leave the party. He claimed that several cadre and functionaries were joining the TVK because they disagreed with the AIADMK leadership’s recent political decisions.

On Mekedatu project

On demands for an all-party meeting on the proposed Mekedatu project, he said the new government had only recently assumed office and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had already submitted representations to the Centre on issues concerning Tamil Nadu, including the Mekedatu dam proposal and the welfare of fishermen. The Minister also criticised Opposition parties for targeting the government soon after it assumed office, despite earlier calls to allow it time to function.

Earlier, Mr. Jayakumar, accompanied by his supporters and TVK leaders, paid floral tributes to a statue of C.N. Annadurai in Perundurai after joining the party.