'You're The Thief': AIADMK's Palaniswami Calls TN CM Vijay 'Political Poacher', Alleges Horse-Trading
'You're The Thief': AIADMK's Palaniswami Calls TN CM Vijay 'Political Poacher', Alleges Horse-Trading Published By, Last Updated: July 14, 2026, 23:26 IST Edappadi K Palaniswami
'You're The Thief': AIADMK's Palaniswami Calls TN CM Vijay 'Political Poacher', Alleges Horse-Trading Published By, Last Updated: July 14, 2026, 23:26 IST Edappadi K Palaniswami accused the TVK chief of poaching six AIADMK MLAs through "horse-trading" after Vijay alleged the AIADMK and DMK were acting in collusion. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami addresses a press conference. (IMAGE: PTI) AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday hit back at Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay over allegations that his party was in collusion with the DMK, accusing the TVK founder of “stealing" AIADMK legislators through horse-trading. Addressing reporters, Palaniswami said Vijay, during his July 10 visit to Karur, had described the AIADMK and the DMK as “Koottu Kalavanigal" (partners in crime), a charge the former chief minister called “very serious", PTI reported. Questioning Vijay’s choice of words, Palaniswami said it was inappropriate for a sitting chief minister to make such allegations. “He should think carefully about what words to use before using them.
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is not a partner in crime. It is the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leader Vijay who is the thief. Those who contested on behalf of the AIADMK under the two-leaves symbol and won were made to resign through horse-trading, and immediately after their resignation, they were inducted into the TVK," Palaniswami alleged. The AIADMK chief accused Vijay of poaching elected legislators and claimed six AIADMK MLAs, including former minister C Vijayabaskar, had resigned before joining the TVK. Taking a swipe at the TVK’s promise of “pure, clean governance", Palaniswami questioned whether inducting leaders from rival parties after criticising them could be described as transparent governance. He also claimed the TVK government was dependent on outside support and alleged that differences among its allies could weaken the administration. Referring to VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan, Palaniswami said the ally’s “contradictory" public statements raised questions over the stability of the ruling arrangement.
He also dismissed as “fiction" Vijay’s allegation that the AIADMK and the DMK were working together. The former chief minister also targeted DMK president MK Stalin over his repeated description of the DMK-led front as an “ideology-based alliance", saying recent political realignments had exposed cracks within the coalition. VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), which were part of the DMK-led alliance ahead of the 2026 Assembly election, have since joined the TVK government, while the Left parties have extended outside support, PTI reported. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered How might these defections affect the TVK's image? AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami accused TVK chief C Joseph Vijay of "stealing" AIADMK legislators through "horse-trading". Palaniswami stated that MLAs who won on the AIADMK ticket were made to resign and then inducted into TVK. What could be the long-term consequences for AIADMK?
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