Mahabalipuram, 25 Jan

Aadhav Arjun, General Secretary of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), made a bold claim on Sunday, saying that his party has 'sleeper cells' within All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and even Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).

Addressing the State and district level consultative meeting of party functionaries in Mahabalipuram, Arjun said, "TVK leader Vijay has got supporters from both AIADMK and DMK party members. We have got a sleeper cell in your cabinet, Mr Stalin. We have got sleeper cells in AIADMK and even VCK."

TVK General Secretary also expressed his confidence that TVK leader Vijay is set to become the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, saying, "People know Vijay is the next Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu."

Arjun also drew comparisons between Vijay and former TamilNadu Chief Minister MG Ramachandran (MGR), suggesting that Vijay's political journey mirrors MGR's, who founded the AIADMK party on the belief in the strength of Tamil Nadu's women rather than political alliances.

"MGR didn't start his party believing in the alliance; he started the party only believing in the womanhood of Tamil Nadu, likewise our leader Vijay has also started this party believing strongly in the womanhood of Tamil Nadu," Arjun said.

Arjun also criticised the promises made by rival parties, especially their financial schemes. He warned women not to be fooled by the promises of Rs 1000 and Rs 3000. "Women should not lose the next five years believing in the Rs 1000 and Rs 3000 promised by the other parties," Arjun said.

This comes after the AIADMK's election promises include the Women's Welfare Kulavilakku Scheme, under which a monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,000 will be provided to all ration card-holding families, credited directly to the bank account of the woman head of the family.

Furthermore, in a direct attack on the current Chief Minister, Arjun added, "CM Stalin has one happiness in the settlement of his own family; this is the difference between them and us. We are working for the settlement of the Tamil Nadu people."

Meanwhile, TVK president and actor Vijay also attended the state and district-level consultative meeting of party functionaries in Mamallapuram.

Meanwhile, the political parties of veteran actors Vijay andKamal Haasan have been allotted their respective symbols by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The whistle symbol has been allotted to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), headed by actor Vijay. Whereas, the battery torch symbol has been allotted to Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), the party headed by Kamal Haasan. Haasan's MNM has an alliance with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), while Vijay's TVK is set to debut in the upcoming assembly polls, vying to gain power by unseating the incumbent DMK.

Tamil Nadu is scheduled to hold elections in the first half of this year. The official schedule has not yet been announced by the ECI.