TTV Dhinakaran Blasts TVK Over Alleged ‘Horse‑Trading’, Calls for a CBI Probe

In a surprisingly fiery statement that has set the Tamil Nadu political landscape abuzz, former MP TTV Dhinakaran took to the media on Monday to lambaste TV K, alleging that the senior party figure had been involved in what he termed “horse‑trading.” Dhinakaran, who heads the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), said the alleged back‑door dealings were not just unethical but potentially illegal, and that they warranted a thorough Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry.

“When a leader starts swapping loyalties for personal gain, it is not merely a betrayal of the party but a betrayal of the people who voted for us,” Dhinakaran said, his voice tinged with both frustration and a hint of desperation. He argued that the alleged defections could tip the delicate balance of power in the state assembly, especially as the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) continue to jostle for dominance.

TV K, a veteran politician and senior member of the AIADMK, has long been regarded as a king‑maker within the party’s inner circles. While he has not directly responded to Dhinakaran’s accusations, allies close to him have dismissed the claims as “political theatrics,” arguing that there is no concrete evidence to back the allegations.

The demand for a CBI probe, however, adds a new layer of seriousness to the row. Dhinakaran emphasized that only an independent, central agency could examine the “possible financial incentives, promises of positions, or any other inducements” that might have influenced the alleged horse‑trading. “We cannot leave this to the state machinery, which is already entangled in its own political games,” he added.

Analysts suggest that Dhinakaran’s move could be strategic. By framing the issue as a national security and corruption matter, he may be aiming to bring the central government’s attention to the state’s internal fissures, potentially leveraging the situation to his party’s advantage ahead of the upcoming local body elections.

Meanwhile, the DMK, currently in power, has stayed relatively quiet, perhaps calculating that the controversy will burn itself out. The AIADMK, for its part, has urged calm and called for a “fair investigation” without directly naming TV K.

As the drama unfolds, the Tamil Nadu electorate watches closely. Whether the CBI will actually step in, and what findings—if any—might emerge, remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the accusations have already deepened mistrust among the state’s major political players, and the reverberations could be felt for months to come.