TVK’s anti-development politics has come to the fore again after Minister Aadhav Arjuna, who is Chief Minister Joseph Vijay’s key political aides, admitted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly that he was among those who planned and worked behind the scenes to organise the DMK’s protests against the Chennai-Salem eight-lane highway in 2020.
Speaking in the Assembly on 25 August 2026, Aadhav Arjuna claimed that he knew the DMK’s organisational strength “booth by booth” and had personally worked behind the scenes on the protests when the AIADMK was in power. He also accused the DMK of taking one position while in Opposition and another after coming to power.
Aadhav Arjuna accused the DMK of taking different political positions depending on whether it was in power or in Opposition. He cited the eight-lane expressway protests as an example, claiming that he had worked behind the scenes in organising the agitation.
“DMK has this habit of taking different political stands when it is in power and when it is in Opposition. Let me give you an example. In 2020, you do not need to tell me about the DMK. I know the strength of every DMK booth. I know everything about their strengths and weaknesses,” he said.
“DMK protested in a big way against the eight-lane expressway. I know this because I worked behind the scenes on all these protests. When it came to people’s protests, this was one of the DMK’s biggest protests. They generally turn up where farmers are protesting and support them,” he added.
Aadhav Arjuna recalled that the protests took place when the AIADMK was in power and claimed that the DMK had brought activist Arul to the demonstrations.
“In the same way, for the eight-lane expressway, the AIADMK was in power. The DMK invited Arul for the protest. Arul is a software engineer from Hosur, but if it is a matter concerning farmers, he will be there for them,” he said.
He further referred to a protest led by then-DMK president MK Stalin in the northern districts, particularly around Salem.
“MK Stalin led a big protest in the northern districts, especially near Salem. When the protest was held near Salem, I can give you the footage as well. Arul was standing next to MK Stalin on the stage during the protest. They protested against the expressway with Arul,” Aadhav Arjuna claimed.
He then said that he had personally been involved in planning the protests.
“I was one of the persons who planned the protest, so I remember it vividly. At that time, they were vehemently opposed to the expressway because they said it was against the interests of farmers,” he said.
Aadhav Arjuna alleged that the DMK subsequently changed its position after coming to power in 2021.
“But they let it go once they came to power. Once they came to power, the minister who was against the expressway gave an interview saying that we never protested against the eight-lane expressway. I will give you proof,” he said.
“DMK has varying stands when it is in power and when it is in Opposition,” Aadhav Arjuna added.
Minister Aadhav Arjuna has admitted that he was behind the DMK’s protest against the eight-lane highway during the AIADMK regime in 2020. pic.twitter.com/RlnnEBkplg
— Vignesh Theni (@Vignesh_twitz) August 25, 2026
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