TVK Alleges Secret DMK-AIADMK Pact, DMK Rejects Claim

A fresh political row erupted in Tamil Nadu on Thursday after Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) general secretary and Minister Aadhav Arjuna alleged that the DMK and AIADMK had reached a political understanding, a claim the DMK swiftly dismissed as baseless.

Speaking at a public event in Mamallapuram , Arjuna claimed that the leadership of the two opposition parties had already struck an agreement and that a formal announcement could be made ahead of the upcoming local body or Lok Sabha elections . He alleged that dissatisfaction within the AIADMK over the reported move had prompted several leaders, including three former state ministers , to join the ruling TVK.

Arjuna also accused AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami of abandoning the party's principles by allegedly moving closer to the DMK. He further claimed that TVK had deliberately chosen not to seek AIADMK's support during government formation despite falling short of a majority, asserting that the party wanted to counter what it believed was an emerging DMK-AIADMK political arrangement .

The DMK strongly rejected the allegations. Senior leader S. Reghupathy said the party had no interest in forming an alliance with the AIADMK or attempting to topple the TVK government through "horse-trading." He reiterated that the DMK would seek power only through the people's mandate and would continue to function as a responsible opposition.

The exchange comes a day after TVK accused the DMK of attempting to lure its legislators. The controversy also follows the arrest of three persons after a TVK MLA alleged he was offered ₹35 crore to support a motion against the Assembly Speaker.

Neither Arjuna's allegation of a DMK-AIADMK understanding nor the counterclaims has been independently verified.