Aadhav Arjuna suspended from VCK for 6 months

CHENNAI: VCK deputy general secretary Aadhav Arjuna, whose searing public statements caused trouble within the DMK-led INDIA bloc in Tamil Nadu to the point of breakup, was suspended from the party for six months.

Party president Thirumavalavan, who issued the statement announcing the decision on Monday, had earlier said the party would seek an explanation from Arjuna on the comments he has been making in recent months.

Arjuna's repeated statements against the DMK, most recently during the book release event on December 6, triggered a furious reaction from the DMK. Though the Dravidian major's ire was primarily directed at actor-politician Vijay, it was only a matter of time before Arjuna faced the heat.

In the statement, Thirumavalavan said, "It has come to the attention of the Executive Committee that the deputy general secretary of the party, Aadhav Arjuna, has been acting in a manner detrimental to the interests of the party in recent times."

A discussion was held with the party's general secretaries and other senior leaders on this on December 7. His continued negative actions despite the instructions of the party leadership. "Although such actions, on the surface, appear to be in the interest of the party, they have raised serious criticism in the public, questioning the credibility of the party and its leadership. Hence, the Executive Committee, consisting of the party president and the general secretaries, have decided to take disciplinary action against Aadhav Arjuna by suspending him from the party for a period of six months," the statement added.

Thiruma said Aadhav Arjuna participated in the book release programme after seeking permission. However, he added that he had asked Arjuna to speak carefully at the event.

The decision comes after Aadhav Arjuna participated in an event to launch a book on Dr BR Ambedkar on December, where he shared the stage with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay.

During his speech, Arjuna made statements that were viewed as contradictory to the party’s principles and caused dissatisfaction among the VCK leadership.

In his speech, he called for an end to dynastic politics by 2026, coinciding with the state assembly elections, a thinly veiled comment against the DMK.

Highlighting the rise of the BJP in 2014, Arjuna noted that the party capitalised on anti-corruption and anti-dynasty sentiments to secure power at the Centre, maintaining its dominance ever since.

“No one has been able to challenge the BJP effectively so far,” he said, and urged actor and TVK leader Vijay to take a firm stand against the dynastic and corrupt practices of Tamil Nadu’s ruling party.

He also emphasised the underrepresentation of Dalit leaders in the state’s general constituencies, contrasting it with Uttar Pradesh, where a Dalit candidate secured victory in Faizabad during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

“Tamil Nadu has a Dalit population of 1.4 crore, yet not a single Dalit candidate is fielded in general constituencies. While Dravidian and Tamil nationalist ideologies emphasise equality, the reality is skewed by caste-based vote bank politics,” he stated.