TN Minister Sengottaiyan rejects horse-trading charge as ex-AIADMK MLA joins TVK
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu's ruling TVK is drawing defectors from the AIADMK — and the government is daring the opposition to raise it in the assembly. Minister Sengottaiyan's rebuttal frames every crossover as a voluntary vote of confidence, while simultaneously alleging that AIADMK's own flirtation with a DMK alliance is driving its cadres away. The political arithmetic in Tamil Nadu is shifting, and the TVK is making sure everyone notices.
Key Takeaways
Tamil Nadu Minister K.A.
Sengottaiyan rejected horse-trading allegations against the TVK on 30 May 2025 in Perundurai .
Former AIADMK MLA S.
Jayakumar formally joined the ruling TVK , accompanied by supporters and senior party leaders.
Sengottaiyan claimed internal dissatisfaction within the AIADMK — particularly over possible DMK alliance talk — is driving defections.
The minister invited the opposition to raise horse-trading allegations on the floor of the Tamil Nadu Assembly .
Joseph Vijay has already submitted representations to the Union Government on the Mekedatu dam project and Tamil Nadu fishermen welfare.
Tamil Nadu Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan on Saturday, 30 May flatly rejected allegations that the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) was poaching leaders from rival parties through inducements, insisting the party's expanding base reflected genuine political strength and public trust. His remarks came moments after former All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) legislator S. Jayakumar formally enrolled in the TVK at Perundurai.
What Sengottaiyan Said
Speaking to reporters in Perundurai, the minister drew a sharp distinction between voluntary defection and horse-trading. 'Jayakumar and several others who have joined the TVK resigned from their positions before entering our party. The TVK does not require horse-trading. We have won the confidence of the people and secured power on our own strength,' he said.
Sengottaiyan added that the government stood ready to address the charges directly in the legislature. 'If the Opposition wants to discuss horse-trading, we are prepared to answer those allegations on the floor of the House,' he said.
AIADMK Internal Discontent, the Minister Claims
Sengottaiyan went further, alleging that the defections were being fuelled by growing unease within the AIADMK itself. He claimed that a section of AIADMK workers and local leaders were uncomfortable with the party's current political direction — specifically, remarks by some AIADMK leaders that appeared to favour a future alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
'There is widespread dissatisfaction among sections of the AIADMK. Many workers and local leaders disagree with the present political direction of the party and are therefore choosing to join the TVK,' he claimed. The AIADMK has not yet formally responded to this characterisation.
Opposition Criticism and the Assembly Challenge
The AIADMK and other opposition parties have accused the TVK-led government of systematically attempting to lure functionaries from rival organisations, a charge that carries particular sensitivity in Tamil Nadu's politically competitive landscape. Sengottaiyan dismissed these allegations as politically motivated and said the government would offer a comprehensive rebuttal when the issue is raised in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Mekedatu Dam and Fishermen Issues
Separately, responding to opposition demands for an all-party meeting on Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu dam project, Sengottaiyan noted that the TVK government — having assumed office only recently — had already moved to safeguard Tamil Nadu's interests. He said Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had submitted formal representations to the Union Government on both the Mekedatu project and the welfare of Tamil Nadu fishermen.
The minister also took a swipe at opposition parties for attacking the new administration so early in its tenure, noting the contradiction with their earlier calls to give the incoming government adequate time to settle in.
Jayakumar's Entry into TVK
Earlier in the day, Jayakumar — accompanied by supporters and senior TVK leaders — paid floral tributes to former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai at Perundurai before completing his formal induction into the ruling party. The ceremony marks another notable political addition to the TVK as it consolidates its position in Tamil Nadu's post-election landscape.
With the AIADMK yet to formally respond and the assembly session looming, the horse-trading debate is likely to intensify in the coming weeks.
Point of View
But the TVK's response is notably combative — inviting a floor debate rather than deflecting. Sengottaiyan's counter-allegation, that AIADMK's own DMK-alliance murmurs are pushing cadres out, is a pressure tactic designed to deepen the AIADMK's internal fault lines. The real question is whether these defections represent organic disillusionment or a structured absorption strategy. If the AIADMK cannot arrest the outflow before the next assembly session, the optics of a weakening principal opposition party could reshape Tamil Nadu's political balance faster than anyone anticipated.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did TN Minister Sengottaiyan reject horse-trading allegations?
Sengottaiyan argued that leaders joining the TVK had voluntarily resigned their previous positions before switching parties, and that the TVK's growth stemmed from public mandate rather than inducements. He challenged the opposition to raise the issue in the Tamil Nadu Assembly if they had evidence.
Who is S. Jayakumar and why is his joining TVK significant?
S. Jayakumar is a former AIADMK MLA who formally joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam on 30 May 2025 at Perundurai. His defection is seen as part of a broader trend of AIADMK functionaries moving to the TVK, adding political weight to the ruling party's consolidation drive.
What did Sengottaiyan say about AIADMK's internal situation?
Sengottaiyan claimed there was widespread dissatisfaction within the AIADMK, particularly over remarks by some party leaders favouring a possible alliance with the DMK. He said this discontent was the primary reason cadres and local leaders were choosing to join the TVK.
What is the Mekedatu dam issue and how is the TVK government responding?
The Mekedatu dam is a proposed Karnataka project on the Cauvery river that Tamil Nadu opposes, citing concerns over water sharing. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has submitted formal representations to the Union Government on the matter, according to Sengottaiyan.
Will horse-trading allegations be discussed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly?
Sengottaiyan has indicated the government is fully prepared to address the allegations on the floor of the Tamil Nadu Assembly. He said the government would offer a comprehensive response when the opposition formally raises the issue during the session.
