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

Addressing a press conference in Tiruvannamalai, Mr. Krishnamurthy said the AIADMK has lost patience with the ongoing attacks on the party by the TVK, including its leader and Public Works and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna. “Horse trading accusations against TVK have attracted the nation’s attention. This is not a lottery business like buying a lottery ticket. Unless TVK stops this.” [horse-trading of its functionaries]”Mr. Palaniswami will initiate a CBI investigation into the allegations,” he said.

The AIADMK leader alleged that the Minister’s office in the State Secretariat was converted into TVK party office, where those who left other political parties, especially the AIADMK, were recruited into the party by distributing membership cards and shawls. “Mr. Arjuna did not stay in any party for long. He was removed from the DMK and later from the VCK before approaching Mr. Palaniswami, who wanted to join the AIADMK as the party’s deputy general secretary. But the AIADMK leader refused to take him into the party,” he said.

‘TVK is distracting’

Mr. Krishnamurthy also rejected Mr. Arjuna’s claim that the AIADMK and DMK were trying to form an alliance ahead of the formation of the government in the state. “Mr. Palaniswami never talked about forming an alliance with the DMK to form the government. This is a tactic used by the TVK to divert the attention of the people of Tamil Nadu from the administration,” he said.

The former AIADMK Minister alleged that there was a power struggle between senior leaders of TVK, especially Minister Aadhav Arjuna and senior leader and Rural Development and Water Resources Minister N. Anand, over who would be the second-in-command after Mr. Vijay. “TVK may also face a situation similar to that of AIADMK right now. Instead of attracting officers and staff from other political parties, the party needs to attract people’s support through its work,” he said.