Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Adhav Arjuna on Sunday clarified his remarks that sparked controversy involving the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and its leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, saying his comments were misunderstood and misrepresented.The controversy erupted during a TVK functionary meeting held in Mahabalipuram, where Arjuna, the party’s Election Management General Secretary, was reported to have said that only “20 people” remained actively with the VCK and suggested that others were aligned with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) — remarks that drew criticism from VCK cadres and leadership.
After facing backlash, Arjuna took to social media to explain that his words were taken out of context and led to the misunderstanding. He clarified that he did not mean to imply that VCK literally has only 20 members remaining. Instead, his intent was to convey concern that a small group within the party had been acting in ways aligned with the DMK’s strategy, potentially undermining the empowerment of oppressed communities — a core issue he said he has always championed.
In his explanation, Arjuna praised Thirumavalavan’s lifelong dedication to securing power and rights for marginalized groups and wrote that he holds respect for the VCK leader from his college days. He stressed that his political goal remains focused on ensuring that power and authority for oppressed people genuinely reach their hands.
Arjuna also alleged that political rivals, particularly the DMK, had distorted his remarks to create confusion and weaken TVK’s message. He reiterated that his original concern was about the need to strengthen the voice of the oppressed rather than to comment on the VCK’s membership count.
The clarification attempt comes amid a charged political environment in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, where alliances and party positions remain closely watched.