Aadhav Arjuna began his political career in 2015 by contributing to the electoral success of the DMK and was previously Deputy General Secretary of Thol Thirumavalavan’s VCK.
Published Feb 01, 2025 | 11:43 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 01, 2025 | 11:43 AM
TVK expands leadership team with Aadhav Arjuna, Nirmal Kumar. (x)
Ahead of Tamil Nadu assembly elections, actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) has appointed new office bearers, including a few prominent names.
In an official statement, TVK chairman Vijay said that the newly appointed office-bearers will work under the guidance of general secretary N Anand to ensure smooth coordination of electoral preparations.
Among the many appointments are Aadhav Arjuna, as the general secretary of election campaign management, and CTR Nirmal Kumar as the deputy general secretary for IT and social media.
Vijay making the announcement, said that Aadhav Arjuna will work closely with political strategist John Arogyasamy to shape election strategies and oversee campaign execution.
He urged all members and administrators to cooperate fully with the new leadership team to ensure a well-structured and effective electoral push.
— TVK Vijay (@tvkvijayhq) January 31, 2025
Aadhav Arjuna appointed as the general secretary for election campaign management began his political career in 2015 by contributing to the electoral success of the DMK.
In 2019, he founded One Mind India, an organization dedicated to electoral data analysis and campaign development. Recognizing the need for modernization in Tamil Nadu’s political campaigns, he invited strategist Prashant Kishore and his I-PAC team to collaborate, reshaping the state’s electoral approach. He then joined Thol Thirumavalavan’s VCK as Deputy General Secretary.
Arjuna’s decision to join TVK follows his resignation from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) after being suspended for making staunch remarks against VCK’s ally, the DMK.
CTR Nirmal Kumar serving as TVK’s deputy secretary general for IT and Social Media was previously the IT and social media wing president for the Tamil Nadu BJP.
He resigned from the BJP, citing dissatisfaction with the party’s state leadership, and subsequently joined AIADMK. Now, his move to TVK is seen as a strategic alignment with a party that aligns more closely with his vision for political engagement.
தலைவருடன் 🙏 pic.twitter.com/qI1KdJmtoT
— CTR.Nirmalkumar (@CTR_Nirmalkumar) January 31, 2025
Kovai Satyan, AIADMK IT Wing Member speaking to South First, questioned, “TVK is hardly a year old—what weight can it possibly carry? What impact would it even make on AIADMK?”
“The reality is, that AIADMK has seen significant and impressive progress over the past 53 years, even though many prominent leaders have left the party at different times. The departure of a single individual does not shake the foundations of a party that has been running strong for over five decades with over 2.6 crore cadres.”
He further added, “This is not a defining moment for AIADMK—it is simply a matter of personal choice for anyone to switch parties. If we look at what TVK is planning, there isn’t a strong vision to speak of. Nirmal Kumar had he stayed in AIADMK, would have had to fight his way up against multiple established leaders. Instead, by joining TVK, he has taken an easier route to prominence. That itself speaks volumes about the decision-making at play here.”
Political analyst, Raveendran Duraiswamy speaking to South First, opined, “The addition of Aadhav Arjuna and Nirmal Kumar to TVK presents both opportunities and challenges.”
About Aadhav Arjuna, he said, “He in particular, is a high-value acquisition—he has the capacity, the popularity, and a strong network across various political circles. His experience and connections could prove extremely useful in shaping TVK’s political strategies.”
“Nirmal Kumar, on the other hand, has been a key IT wing functionary, making his exit a tactical loss for AIADMK. He is known for his aggressive approach and ability to mobilize digital campaigns, which are crucial in modern political battles,” he added.
Speaking of prospects for TVK, he noted, “For TVK, this move could be a possible game-changer if the new entrants put in serious effort.”
“AIADMK, under Edappadi K Palaniswami, still has a stronghold, but there is limited space for leaders to rise to prominence. At most, EPS may be able to secure a handful of seats.”
“Meanwhile, TVK, despite being a new player, has a chance to make an impact if it strategically uses the strengths of these leaders. We’ve seen parties like Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam struggle to gain significant votes, but if TVK plays its cards right, this shift could reshape the political landscape to some extent and possibly get the 34 seats with Aadhav’s help,” Duraiswamy said.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula)
