Aadhav Arjuna, a functionary of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), alleged that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) family threatened actor Rajinikanth when he attempted to enter politics in Tamil Nadu.
As reported in Times of India, Arjuna made the remarks during a protest organised by TVK at district headquarters across Tamil Nadu on Thursday, accusing the state government of failing to maintain law and order. A demonstration was also held in Chennai, where TVK functionaries including N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and Arun Raj participated.
Speaking at the protest, Arjuna said that after MG Ramachandran (MGR), Rajinikanth had been one of the most popular figures who had intended to enter politics in Tamil Nadu.
“After MGR, Rajinikanth wanted to emerge as a prominent leader in Tamil Nadu. He wanted to change the system, do everything needed through politics. But this very DMK family issued multiple threats and made sure he never got to launch a political party. See what happened to him in the end – he went and acted in a Red Giant (Udhayanidhi Stalin’s production house) film. There is no personal criticism of him. I am putting it on record that the mental strength, that resolve, exists in our leader,” Arjuna said.
Arjuna added that Tamil Nadu required political change and proceeded to refer to several leaders who, according to him, had attempted to challenge the DMK but eventually aligned with it.
“Tamil Nadu needs a change. Let me go one by one through all the leaders who said they would bring change and what happened to them. MDMK leader Vaiko, when he started his party, stood tall speaking out about many problems within the DMK. Today? Four seats and even in that, three seats with the Rising Sun symbol and one with their own symbol. What kind of alliance is this? We don’t understand it at all. Today, brother Thol. Thirumavalavan campaigned hard against DMK in 2014. Even he couldn’t do it. In the end, he too joined the alliance. Similarly, all leaders including brother Kamal Haasan, he started a party, smashed TVs and everything. But even he couldn’t do it. We are not belittling him, he too went back, joined DMK, and started acting in a Red Giant film. Then there’s O. Panneerselvam, he was Chief Minister, he was Amma’s most loyal follower, a man who was CM three times; today he has joined Stalin sir. Look at the power of their money. Everyone can be bought. Everyone can be threatened. But in Tamil Nadu, there is one leader who cannot be threatened, who cannot be bought, one uncompromised leader and that is our leader Vijay, and only him,” Arjuna said.
ரஜினியை மிரட்டிய திமுக! ஆதவ் அர்ஜுன் கடும் தாக்கு | DMK | MK Stalin | Rajinikanth | Kamalhaasan |#dmk | #mkstalin | #rajinikanth | #kamalhaasan | #dmkalliance | #vaiko | #ops | #aadhavarjuna | #tvk | #vijay | #ilayabharatham | #ibnews | pic.twitter.com/RJ3XijLdVG
— Ilaya Bharatham (@IBharatham) March 12, 2026
Arjuna also asserted that Vijay had the mental strength to withstand criticism and political pressure.
“Even when personal criticism was directed at Vijay, he did not remain silent at home in fear,” he said.
The remarks drew criticism from several quarters, including among Rajinikanth’s fans. S. Ravi, a fan club member from Sholingur, said Rajinikanth had not withdrawn from politics due to fear.
“Rajinikanth is not someone who fears threats — everyone knows that. At a time when the coronavirus was spreading severely, he stepped away from politics considering the infection risk that gatherings could pose to the public and to avoid loss of lives due to the virus,” Ravi said.
He added that political leadership could not be determined merely by the ability to attract crowds.
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