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‘Mockery of democracy’: TTV Dhinakaran accuses Vijay-led TVK of horse-trading in Tamil Nadu govt formation bid
ET Online | May 9, 2026 1:19 PM CST

Synopsis

A political storm brews in Tamil Nadu. AMMK leader T. T. V. Dhinakaran alleges Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is involved in horse-trading. This follows TVK chief Vijay staking claim to form the government. Dhinakaran has urged the Governor to invite AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami instead.

TTV Dhinakaran
A fresh political controversy erupted in Tamil Nadu late Friday, Times of India reported, after AMMK leader T. T. V. Dhinakaran accused Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam of indulging in “horse-trading” amid efforts to stake claim to form the next government in the state.

The accusation came hours after TVK chief Vijay met Governor R. V. Arlekar and formally staked claim to form the government following the Assembly election results.

Also Read: TVK moves Supreme Court seeking direction to governor to invite it to form govt in Tamil Nadu


Escalating the political drama, Dhinakaran later met the governor and submitted a representation urging him to invite Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the general secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, to form the government instead.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Dhinakaran alleged that his party’s newly elected MLA, S Kamaraj, had gone missing under suspicious circumstances.

“Our party MLA met me in Puducherry and obtained my signature on the representation seeking an invitation for AIADMK leader Palaniswami to form the next govt. But he has now gone missing and I am unable to reach him over phone,” Dhinakaran said, alleging that TVK could be behind the MLA’s disappearance.

Kamaraj, who contested on the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazagam’s cooker symbol, won the Mannargudi constituency by defeating candidates from both the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and TVK.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu government formation: Left support takes TVK closer to majority, Vijay to meet Guv again

Calling the developments “a mockery of democracy”, Dhinakaran urged the governor to take serious note of what he described as attempts to engineer defections in the post-poll scenario.

He also launched a sharp attack on Vijay, accusing the actor-turned-politician of political hypocrisy for allegedly trying to win over DMK allies after campaigning aggressively against the ruling party.

“Even before forming the govt, he is indulging in such activities. How will he provide a clean govt?” Dhinakaran said.

Matters intensified on Saturday after the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazagam lodged a police complaint against Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, accusing the Vijay-led party of using a “forged” support letter to stake claim for government formation.

According to Guindy police, a petition has been received from AMMK general secretary T. T. V. Dhinakaran, though no First Information Report (FIR) had been registered till Saturday morning.

The complaint followed a dramatic late-night visit by Dhinakaran to the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Guindy Range, as the battle over numbers and support sharpened after the Assembly election verdict.

Addressing reporters, Dhinakaran alleged that TVK had submitted a forged photocopy of a letter to Governor R. V. Arlekar claiming the support of AMMK’s lone MLA-elect from Mannargudi, S Kamaraj.

“The TVK, which claims to be a ‘pure force,’ has indulged in forgery and horse-trading,” Dhinakaran said.


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