Just days after being suspended from Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) over a book launch controversy, the party’s vice-president Aadhav Arjuna tendered his resignation on Sunday, December 15. Aadhav Arjuna was suspended from VCK on December 9 after he criticised the VCK’s ally and the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of “dynasty politics” at a book launch in Chennai.
In his resignation letter to VCK’s president Thol Thirumavalavan, Aadhav said, “In the future, as the revolutionary leader Ambedkar said, "Question those in power", I would like to continue to travel with you in your political struggles to eradicate religious majoritarianism, female slavery, and corruption that deceives the people with the stance of caste abolition, social justice, and political rights for the common people. Therefore, I have decided to disassociate myself completely from VCK in order to avoid unnecessary discussions about me in public spheres.”
On December 6- Dr BR Ambedkar’s death anniversary, the controversy stemmed from the launch of the book Elorukkumaana Thalaivar Ambedkar (Ambedkar: A Leader for All), co-published by Vikatan and Aadhav’s political strategy firm, Voice of Commons. At the event, Aadhav accused the DMK of fostering “monarchy” in the state and added that the people of Tamil Nadu will not allow for monarchy to flourish. “To dismantle monarchist families, we need Ambedkar’s ideologies today,” he said and added that in the upcoming 2026 Assembly polls the focus should be on “ending dynastic politics.”
“A chief minister should not be appointed based on birth; only an idealistic leader should come to power,” Aadhav had said. At the book launch, actor-turned-politician and president of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) Vijay was also present. It may be noted that Vijay had openly declared the ruling DMK as his party’s “political enemy” at his party’s first state conference in October 2024.
Following his statements at the book launch the VCK suspended Aadhav for a period of six months and said, “All his defiant activities, despite repeated advice from party leaders, may superficially seem to strengthen the party. However, they have created doubts about the leadership and camaraderie within the party in the public eye. Such actions have negatively impacted the cohesive functioning of the party.”