Aadhav Arjun, the suspended deputy general secretary of Viduthlai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and son-in-law of “lottery king” Santiago Martin, resigned on Sunday due to irreconcilable differences with the party leadership. Arjun’s resignation came hours after VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan accused him of having a “hidden agenda” following a statement targeting his ally DMK. His suspension.
A source close to Arjun said The Indian Express He was involved in high-level discussions with the AIADMK, suggesting that he was looking to join the main opposition party in Tamil Nadu and he sought to have a double influence by bringing in election strategist Prashant Kishor to advise the party for the 2026 assembly. elections and linking actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party to the AIADMK alliance.
Thirumavalavan’s comments on Sunday, reaffirming the VCK’s strong ties with the DMK and commitment to an alliance for the 2026 polls, seem to have left no room for Arjun to continue within the party. “The suspension was already seen as a de facto expulsion,” said a close aide of Arjun. “From Thirumavalavan’s public statement, it is clear that there is no room for reconciliation. He had to leave.”
Thirumavalavan’s statements revealed his displeasure with Arjun’s public statements, particularly a lengthy interview he gave to Thanti TV, repeating his “controversial statements” and justifying the actions that led to his suspension.
Aadhav Arjun with Tamil actor-politician Vijay at a book launch event last week. (Photo: Adhav Arjun/Facebook)
In his resignation letter, addressed to Thirumavalavan, Arjun called his work with the VCK “an honor and responsibility” to fight for the marginalized. “I am determined to be a soldier of social justice, doing everything I can to eradicate social inequality,” he wrote. He claimed to have dedicated himself to furthering the party’s vision of caste abolition and justice for two decades.
The letter, while respectful, hinted at latent tension. “I am aware that the ideals I espouse may differ from the current goals of the party, and this causes great introspection and discomfort,” he wrote. Arjun avoided direct conflict, saying, “I don’t want to create controversy” but admitted to months of discussions before stepping down. “Politics has been my life’s mission… My journey will continue with those who seek equality, justice and harmony,” the letter said.
Sources said Arjun has already started talks with AIADMK leaders. A senior AIADMK leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that he had heard Arjun talking about joining the party leadership. ‘His plan is ambitious. He wants to bring actor-turned-politician Vijay into the AIADMK alliance and also rope in strategist Prashant Kishor for the 2026 assembly elections. The talks are at the initial stage but at a high level,’ said the leader.
A source close to Arjun said that he will not rush his next move. “I believe he is in direct talks with Edappadi K Palaniswami, with no other leader in between. Arjun can wait till the second week of January. If AIADMK welcomes him and succeeds in bringing Vijay into the AIADMK camp, it will change the game. But internal within AIADMK The discussion is going on, and there is concern about how to understand it,” the source said.
Why doubt it?
Arjun’s idea of facilitating an AIADMK-Vijaya alliance has raised eyebrows in the opposition. A former AIADMK minister said, “It’s a brilliant idea but foolish. If the AIADMK joins hands with Vijay, it will challenge the dominance of the DMK. The ruling party will struggle even with a grand alliance. If Arjun fulfills his promise, it will change Tamil Nadu politics.” Will change. But that’s a big ‘if’. BJP won’t let us take such a step as it will push them to 4th place in Tamil Nadu politics, leaving NDA alliance in 3rd place PMK will also come to us,” he said, adding, “Such an alliance will undo everything the BJP has achieved in the last decade, and weaken the NDA’s presence in the state.
Arjun’s move to the AIADMK, if it materializes, will be significant. Once a close aide of Chief Minister MK Stalin’s son-in-law Sabrisan and within the DMK, Arjun was part of the ruling party’s strategy team for the 2016, 2019 and 2021 elections. However, after failing to secure a Rajya Sabha seat from the party, he joined the VCK earlier this year.
His fallout with the VCK began after strong criticism of the DMK in recent months. At a book launch event last week, which was organized by his brand strategy firm Voice of Common, Vijay criticized Thirumavalavan’s absence from the event and suggested it was due to pressure from the DMK. Arjun’s own comments accused the DMK of running a “king’s rule” and dominating the Tamil film industry through political influence. Thirumavalavan responded by suspending Arjuna, but the decision exposed deep divisions within the VCK.
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