Former AIADMK ministers C. Vijayabaskar and M.R. Vijayabaskar, along with former MLAs, district secretaries and other functionaries, joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Wednesday. Organisers said around 10,000 people took part in the induction.
The event was held at a private star hotel in Mamallapuram near Chennai and was conducted on a scale resembling a conference. TVK leaders, including ministers Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and Sengottaiyan, were present as the new entrants were welcomed and party shawls were draped on them.
Speaking at the programme, C. Vijayabaskar said the decision to join TVK was taken based on the views of people in Pudukkottai district. He also claimed that they had earlier urged AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami to form an alliance with TVK before the election, but that the suggestion was not accepted.
He criticised Palaniswami’s attempts to form a government by aligning with the DMK, saying it was unacceptable to them. He praised actor-politician Vijay for what he called a quiet political shift in Tamil Nadu and said TVK would win future elections, adding that larger induction events would be held in the Delta region.
M.R. Vijayabaskar alleged that AIADMK was struggling due to “wrong decisions” and said those who spoke the truth were branded as traitors. At the same event, Aadhav Arjuna made sharp remarks targeting the DMK and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, including claims about future local body elections and political accountability.
Organisers also hosted a grand feast for attendees, featuring “Kamagama” biryani, according to the report.
