Welcoming AIADMK functionaries to TVK on May 28, PWD minister Aadhav Arjuna said TVK is the new AIADMK. Maybe Arjuna was overwhelmed. Maybe it was a Freudian slip.Vijay seems to have given the green signal to TVK local units to induct just anyone from DMK and AIADMK, but not from the parties that are either part of the govt or supporting it. The idea, an insider says, is to weaken the two Dravidian parties as much as possible. But the opportunity comes with a set of challenges too.Those who have crossed over from AIADMK include former ministers and former legislators – most of them eyeing the upcoming local body elections. For TVK, whose organisational base is largely made up of young cadres, the defections could prove useful in building local networks quickly ahead of the elections. On the flip side, accommodating the ‘migrants’ in key positions and maintaining the freshness of TVK will be virtually an impossible balancing act.TVK general secretary N Anand was courteous with the new entrants at an event in Madurantakam on June 13. “We hope you will teach good things to TVK,” he said. “We must win 100% of the local body elections with your support.”The term of rural local bodies in 28 districts ended in Jan 2025; those in nine other districts will end this October. The terms of all urban local bodies end in March next year, and elections are expected soon, as Union govt funds to panchayat institutions are linked to them. And the local body borders are being redrawn in 27 districts.TVK’s first challenge is meeting the new entrants’ expectations. “We will contest the local body polls for TVK if given a chance,” said former AIADMK Cheyyur union secretary O M Suresh, who, along with several AIADMK union and town panchayat functionaries from Tiruporur, Madurantakam and Cheyyur assembly segments, joined TVK.TVK insiders acknowledge the risks. “If everyone is allowed in and given posts, TVK’s identity will be blurred. We should be cautious,” said a party functionary. Opportunists may join for posts and publicity, and friction could grow between them and Vijay’s long-time supporters who now occupy many of the posts, he added. A DMK union secretary in Madurai wanted to join TVK in the same post; his request was rejected.Then there is the age factor. Most TVK district secretaries are in the 30-50 age group, while union and branch secretaries are aged 20-40. “Those joining us now are of our fathers’ age. We will see how we get along,” says a TVK district secretary in his 30s.Former AIADMK minister Udumalai K Radhakrishnan, who joined TVK last week, says respect was the decisive factor. “I was sacked as an AIADMK district secretary without any reason. I was not even asked for an explanation. That is disrespectful,” he said. Former legislator S Ravi who quit AIADMK to join TVK pointed to the case of scheduled caste (SC) members. “Edappadi removed three district secretaries who hail from SC, while TVK inducted eight SC members in the cabinet. Vijay upholds social justice, and that is why I quit AIADMK,” said Ravi, who was removed as Ranipet East district secretary after he sided with rebel MLAs who supported TVK during the vote of confidence.For TVK, the real test will not be how many leaders it attracts, but whether it can screen entrants carefully, maintain discipline and work as a team of freshers and veterans. If managed well, the influx could strengthen the party before the local body polls. If not, it may prove to be a new challenge for the relatively new party.
