TVK rejects horse-trading charge, says leaders join out of conviction
Synopsis
TVK's Law Minister R. Nirmalkumar hit back at horse-trading allegations on 14 July, drawing a sharp legal distinction between voluntary defections and induced poaching — while simultaneously declaring the AIADMK organisationally near-defunct outside a few southern Tamil Nadu districts. The remarks signal TVK's confidence as it absorbs cadres from both major rivals ahead of the next election.
Key Takeaways
Nirmalkumar , Tamil Nadu Law Minister and TVK joint general secretary, on 14 July rejected horse-trading allegations against TVK in Chennai .
He argued that leaders from DMK and AIADMK were leaving voluntarily due to loss of faith in M.K.
Stalin and Edappadi K.
Palaniswami respectively.
Nirmalkumar dismissed a CBI complaint filed by DMK organisation secretary R.S.
Bharathi over alleged legislator poaching as 'timepass.' He claimed the AIADMK 's organisational presence is now largely confined to a few districts in southern Tamil Nadu .
The minister reaffirmed the state government's two-language policy and said party fund complaints are under examination.
Tamil Nadu Law Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) joint general secretary R. Nirmalkumar on Tuesday, 14 July firmly denied allegations that TVK was inducing leaders from rival parties to switch loyalties, asserting that all defections were driven by genuine political disillusionment and not monetary offers. The minister made the remarks while addressing reporters in Chennai.
What Nirmalkumar Said
Nirmalkumar drew a clear distinction between voluntary political realignment and horse-trading, arguing that the two could not be conflated. He said leaders from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) had grown disillusioned with their respective leaderships and were choosing to leave of their own accord.
'Horse-trading refers to elected representatives being offered money or inducements to defect. If leaders resign because they no longer have faith in the leadership of M.K. Stalin or Edappadi K. Palaniswami and decide to pursue a different political path, that is a personal decision and not horse-trading,' he said.
He added that TVK had neither approached nor persuaded anyone to join the party. 'We have not invited leaders from any political party. If they resign on their own and express a desire to become part of TVK, how can we refuse them?' he asked.
Attack on DMK and AIADMK
Nirmalkumar turned the horse-trading allegation back on the Opposition, claiming it was former minister V. Senthilbalaji and his associates who had become synonymous with such practices. He also dismissed a complaint filed by DMK organisation secretary R.S. Bharathi to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over alleged poaching of legislators, calling it an exercise done purely for 'timepass.'
The minister went further, claiming that the AIADMK's organisational strength had deteriorated sharply since the Assembly elections. 'Beyond a handful of southern districts, the party has virtually no organisational network. Many of its own cadre barely remember that it even has a general secretary,' he remarked.
Sarcasm and Political Barbs
In a pointed jab at speculation about future political realignments, Nirmalkumar quipped that former AIADMK minister K.T. Rajenthra Bhalaji and DMK minister Anitha R. Radhakrishnan could eventually become coordinators of a DMK-AIADMK alliance — a remark widely read as sarcasm aimed at both parties.
Governance Clarifications
On administrative matters, Nirmalkumar clarified that members of the public wishing to meet Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay could seek appointments through the Chief Minister's Office. He also reaffirmed that the state government's two-language policy remained unchanged, and said complaints relating to party funds were under examination with appropriate action being taken wherever warranted.
With TVK continuing to attract figures from established parties, the horse-trading debate is likely to intensify ahead of the next electoral cycle in Tamil Nadu.
Point of View
It suggests Tamil Nadu's principal Opposition is hollowing out faster than electoral arithmetic currently reflects. TVK's absorption of cadres from both rivals, framed as passive acceptance, deserves closer scrutiny as the next election approaches.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What horse-trading allegations has TVK denied?
TVK has denied allegations that it is luring leaders from rival parties like DMK and AIADMK through monetary inducements or other offers. Law Minister R. Nirmalkumar on 14 July said all leaders joining TVK were doing so voluntarily out of political disillusionment, not because of any inducement from the party.
What is the CBI complaint filed by DMK's R.S. Bharathi about?
DMK organisation secretary R.S. Bharathi filed a complaint with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleging that TVK was poaching legislators from rival parties. Nirmalkumar dismissed the complaint as a 'timepass' exercise with no substantive basis.
How did Nirmalkumar define horse-trading?
Nirmalkumar defined horse-trading as the offering of money or inducements to elected representatives to make them defect. He argued that leaders choosing to leave DMK or AIADMK due to loss of faith in their party leadership — and then joining TVK — constituted a personal political decision, not horse-trading.
What did Nirmalkumar say about the AIADMK's organisational strength?
Nirmalkumar claimed the AIADMK's organisational network had weakened significantly after the Assembly elections and is now largely confined to a few districts in southern Tamil Nadu. He remarked that many AIADMK cadre barely remember the party even has a general secretary.
What governance clarifications did Nirmalkumar offer?
Nirmalkumar said members of the public can seek appointments with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay through the Chief Minister's Office. He also confirmed that the state government's two-language policy remains unchanged and that complaints related to party funds are under examination.
