Doctor-turned-civil servant whose ‘heart was always in politics', KG Arunraj set to join TVK
A close aide of Arunraj confirmed to ThePrint that the former civil servant was already in discussions with Vijay about party activities and an announcement would be made soon.
Chennai: Former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer K.G. Arunraj—who served in the Income Tax department in Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Maharashtra—is all set to join actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Sources in the TVK told ThePrint that Arunraj is most likely to be given a post roughly equivalent to that of a general secretary.
Currently, N. Anand is the general secretary of Vijay's TVK, and Lottery Martin's son-in-law Aadhav Arjuna, who left the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and joined the TVK, is the general secretary for elections. While Anand takes care of the party's functioning, Aadhav takes care of election work.
Arunraj, who belongs to Tamil Nadu's Salem district, got an MBBS degree from the Madras Medical College and was practising in the rural areas, including Krishnagiri district, before he joined the IRS.
He cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination in 2009. After serving in Tamil Nadu and Bihar, Arunraj took voluntary retirement and his resignation was accepted with immediate effect on 22 May this year.
'Ever since he became a doctor, he has always wanted to be in the administration field, and that's why he chose the UPSC. However, his heart has always been in politics because that gives the ultimate power to serve the people,' a close friend of Arunraj told ThePrint.
Arunraj's close aide told ThePrint that the former civil servant's decision to join Vijay's party was long in the making. 'It was not a choice. He did not look for options. He had known Vijay for a long time and they had plans for a long time,' the aide said. 'He feels there is a need for a change.'
'Although he pursued medicine, he was not keen on practicing medicine. He had long-term plans and public life was his plan.'
Sources close to Vijay told ThePrint that Arunraj became close to Vijay after Income Tax officials raided the actor's houses and properties in connection with a tax evasion investigation.
I-T officials questioned Vijay in 2020 in connection with an alleged tax evasion case at a shooting spot in Neyveli in Cuddalore district. The inquiries briefly halted the shooting of his movie 'Master', directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj.
'Before the Neyveli raid, they did not have any connection. It was only after the raid, Arunraj became close to Vijay. In fact, when the party registration was getting delayed in the Election Commission, it was Arunraj, who guided the process for the team, even as he was in the service in Bihar,' a TVK insider told ThePrint.
Meanwhile, Vijay has hired JPACPersona founder Jhon Arokiasamy as his poll strategist. Arokiasamy successfully conducted Vijay's first conference at Vikravandi in Villupuram and is now in charge of the party's political strategy alongside Aadhav Arjuna.
Handled high-profile IT cases
Arunraj, who joined the I-T department in 2010, had a reputation for leading high-profile raids, including a 2016 raid that unearthed Rs 90 crore of cash – Rs 80 crore in demonetised currency and Rs 10 crore in new Rs 2,000 bills – from the premises of businessman Shekar Reddy and his associates Srinivasa Reddy and agent Prem. Apart from the cash, 100 kg of gold was also recovered.
After that, he was with the I-T investigation wing and handled many high-profile cases. In 2020, I-T officials raided actor Vijay's home; subsequently, in 2021, the Election Commission (EC) transferred Arunraj, who was then the Joint Commissioner.
EC director Pankaj Srivastava sent a letter to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), saying that Arunraj must be attached with the CBDT headquarters immediately and a compliance report must be furnished the next day at 10 a.m.
The transfer came after the EC reviewed the assembly election preparedness in Tamil Nadu.
An IRS official in the I-T department told ThePrint it was a disciplinary action against the official. Arunraj's close aide, who is privy to the developments, said that it was for the I-T department to answer.
Also Read: These Bihari sisters don't just speak fluent Tamil—use Chennai slang, draw kolams at home
Push for transparency in civil services exam
Arunraj also made headlines for his efforts to bring transparency to the Civil Services Examination and understand its method of evaluation.
Although Arunraj had cleared the UPSC in 2009 and joined the service, he took the exam again in 2014. After the results were declared, he filed an RTI application in 2015 to find out if the Civil Services Main Examination answer papers involved a single evaluation or double evaluation system and whether the board members knew the community of interview candidates along with the average marks awarded in personality tests to candidates from the OBC/SC/ST and general categories.
Arunraj fought till July 2017, filing appeal after appeal, and finally the case reached the Central Information Commission, which disposed of the petition saying the requested information was not part of the record of public authorities and such information was not legally required to be maintained.
Since 2009, Arunraj has been expressing his views on corruption, prohibition, electoral reforms and caste through his blog, https://arunjispeaks.blogspot.com/.
In one of his blogs titled 'Innovative Solution for a Better India', he suggested a presidential form of government at the state level while retaining a parliamentary form at the centre to solve corruption issues.
'There is one thing which is the common denominator in all our woes, it is corruption. Corruption cannot be solved unless there is a strong push from the highest level—the political executive. Corruption begins with electoral malpractices and criminalisation of politics. It is this original sin that spills over into other areas—the bureaucrats and below,' he wrote in March 2011.
Arunraj also took a dig at the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), saying it 'has innocuously bred laziness among the people'.
'It is a sad truth that presently no worthwhile work has come out of the rural employment scheme (except for some very rare cases)–one can see all the people sleeping or taking rest under the shades of trees,' he wrote in June 2015.
'Supporters of the scheme may argue that, in many places, substantive good work has come out of rural employment schemes. My argument is that it is at the cost of efficiency—what 10 people could have done in 10 days is done by 30 people in 30 days; secondly farmers are getting seriously affected.'
He also suggested linking the MGNREGS to agriculture to benefit the farmers.
(Edited by Sugita Katyal)
Also Read: PMK founder Ramadoss says son Anbumani 'held his feet & cried' for tie-up with BJP for 2024 LS polls
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Print
10 hours ago
- The Print
Pakistan cricket is in a ‘dark age', ushered in by politics, corruption, terrorism & crumbling infra
The allrounder's appointment is yet another example of how Pakistan, once considered a cricketing powerhouse, has been hit by years of misgovernance, political interference, corruption and self-serving, power-hungry officials. Azhar Mahmood was made the acting head coach last week, being elevated from the all-format assistant coach position he had held since last April. New Delhi: Pakistan have a new head coach for their men's Test team—the seventh such appointment in four years, and one that illustrates how the country's national cricket has been caught in a ceaseless spiral. In February, Pakistan endured the searing disappointment of a winless campaign in the Champions Trophy, the first major International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament they hosted since 1996. The agony deepened as they were swept aside by New Zealand, suffering a brutal 4-1 defeat in the T20I series, followed by a humiliating 3-0 whitewash in the ODI series. The disappointing Champions Trophy run, combined with security concerns and a shrinking fanbase, has sparked doubts about the country's future as a cricketing hub, even as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in a desperate attempt to hit the reset button, announced Mahmood's appointment. Former Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif believes lack of cricket education is at the core of the problem. 'These systems (like the National Cricket Academy, exist in India and Australia. We don't have anything like this. We are lagging behind. Cricket education is the need of the hour,' he told ThePrint early in April, at a time Pakistan were touring New Zealand. Managed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the NCA was set up with an aim to scout and nurture young talent with potential for national cricket, as well as player rehabilitation. Other experts ThePrint spoke to echoed the sentiment that Pakistan's cricket infrastructure was falling apart. The management is accused of favouritism more often than not and the PCB has painted itself as a victim of inconsistency, dwindling funds, and a lack of direction, they said. 'Sports in any nation mirror the state of its society,' Faizan Lakhani, deputy sports editor at Karachi-based Geo News, told ThePrint in March, reflecting on the Champions Trophy rout and other recent disasters in Pakistan Cricket. 'Our society has experienced a decline, with a lack of drive to improve, and this apathy is clearly visible in the sport.' He described this period as the 'dark age of Pakistan cricket'. The rot is deep, and underlines a complete lack of planning, vision, and grassroots development. The stadiums are ageing, neglected, and barely up to international standards; most haven't seen meaningful upgrades in years. Even basic facilities like proper training grounds, high-performance centres, and academies are low in number and whatever exists is outdated. Compare that to India's rapid stadium revamps, Indian Premier League-fuelled academies, or even Afghanistan's steady rise in cricketing stature. 'Pehle ek-ek area mein paanch ground hote the. Ab paanch area mein ek ground hain,' said Lakhani. 'Commercial activities have taken over (earlier each area in Karachi had 5 grounds; today, five areas together have one ground).' Inter-school and inter-college competitions have become increasingly rare, which is why participation in sports is steadily falling, he said. But, neglected stadiums or lack of training academies isn't all. Latif, 56, said those dealing with cricket statistics in Pakistan are not equipped to handle this data. 'Our management has to understand the difference between data, data science and data engineering.' 'That's why today, the IPL has become an industry, and PSL (Pakistan Super League) couldn't. In fact, PSL has experienced a downfall with every passing year,' he added. Also Read: BCCI has 'too soon' moment as fans object to India-Pakistan fixture in ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Security a forever concern The country has also been struggling to convince international teams to visit ever since terrorists attacked a bus that was carrying Sri Lanka cricket players in Lahore in 2009. Six players were injured in the attack and cricket teams from across the world stopped visiting the country to play. Even when Pakistan hosted the Champions Trophy, the India games were held in Dubai over intel of security threats. More recently, weeks after India-Pakistan tensions played out in the skies during Operation Sindoor, friction between the nuclear neighbours spilled over into the world of cricket, with reports saying that the BCCI was yet to confirm its participation in the Asia Cup. Indian sports journalist Pradeep Magazine said Pakistan's cricket has long been 'unstructured' and unlike BCCI, which has a well-established, independent framework, the PCB has struggled with consistency and organisation. 'When matches are one-sided, people lose interest.' Death of domestic cricket Regional associations, once instrumental in nurturing grassroots cricket in Pakistan, have been weakened by infighting and power struggles. Political interference at the regional level, too, has inflicted deep damage on the credibility and efficiency of the system. One of the biggest flaws lies in the formation of city teams. When a particular club's representatives gain control over a city's domestic team management, they push their own players, sidelining deserving talent from other clubs, explained Lakhani. 'There's an unwritten rule whispered in local circuits: 'If you play for my club, you'll make it to the city squad, otherwise forget about selection.' This club-centric favouritism compromises merit and deteriorates the quality of cricket.' Similar issues were voiced by veteran Pakistani batter Sohaib Maqsood in a video last November. Maqsood, who represented Pakistan in limited-overs formats from 2013 to 2021, highlighted a glaring lack of opportunities for emerging players. He pointed out that the current domestic cricket setup does not cater to development of players at the grassroots level. Talent is either ignored or mishandled, which is why many promising players fade away before they can reach the international stage, he said. Senior district cricket tournament is probably the most important tournament for 90% of the cricketers in our country that defines their future in cricket listen till the end how the future gets destroyed 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 — Sohaib Maqsood (@sohaibcricketer) November 21, 2024 In another video, he highlighted how district-level coaches ruin careers of young players by restricting them from playing internationally. They keep the talent to their district team so that they win matches. For Pakistani cricket, what's even more troubling is the glaring gap between domestic and international cricket. 'Pakistan lacks a robust 'A-team' structure,' said Lakhani. To truly compete at the international level, players must face high-quality opposition regularly. Without competitive 'A' tours, side matches, or proper exposure, domestic talent fails to transition smoothly to the international stage—and the entire ecosystem suffers for it. 'Other cricketing nations like India ensure that their A-team tours extensively, especially ahead of major series. When India tours Australia, their A-team arrives earlier to get accustomed to the conditions,' Lakhani said. Toxic inconsistency Add to the chaos, the inconsistency of PCB which has become a revolving door of political appointees and the picture becomes even more stark. One chairman is sacked, another is installed—a round of musical chairs that only hurts the game. Every new regime scraps the previous one's policies, leaving players confused and systems in limbo. The constant turnover of PCB chairmen has not only disrupted the management but also thrown the team's balance into disarray. Over the past two years, Pakistan's international team has seen its head coach change a staggering seven times, besides constant switches in captaincy. In October 2023, just ahead of Pakistan's crucial ICC World Cup match against South Africa, PCB issued a press statement putting captain Babar Azam on notice, signalling growing internal tensions. This escalated further when claims emerged that Babar's attempts to reach PCB officials like then chairman Zaka Ashraf and director Usman Wallah went unanswered. A leaked purported private chat between Babar and PCB chief operating officer Salman Naseer added to the controversy. Amid these tensions, Inzamam-ul-Haq resigned as chairman of the national men's selection committee and junior selection committee on 30 October, citing a conflict of interest inquiry. By mid-November, Babar was compelled to resign as Pakistan's captain across all formats, with Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood taking over the reins in Test and T20I formats, respectively. The restructuring continued as Mohammed Hafeez was appointed director of the national men's team, while the roles of the previous director Mickey Arthur and head coach Grant Bradburn were adjusted. In early 2024, a series of leadership changes saw Zaka Ashraf resign, and Mohsin Naqvi took over as PCB chairman. Naqvi's tenure too was marked by challenges, including player dissatisfaction and ongoing internal restructuring. In March 2024, Shaheen Afridi was sacked as T20I captain, only for Babar to return as his replacement. Further upheaval continued throughout the year, with several staff and management changes, including the exits of coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, who blamed lack of communication and transparency. Later in March 2025, Salman Ali Agha was named the new T20I captain while Mohammad Rizwan continued to lead the side in the ODI format. According to Lakhani, the 'centralisation' of PCB in the last 25 years is to blame. Associations, even at district level, are not empowered, he said. 'In their selection committee. There is always a member of PCB involved.' Further, Latif explained that as money flowed into the PCB, salaries for managerial staff soared from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 20 lakh on average per month, paving the way for 'too many political appointments'. Latif and Maqsood both echoed a harsh reality: inconsistency runs deep, not just within the ranks of PCB, but within the team itself. Players, too, find themselves caught in this vicious cycle. Many promising cricketers, brimming with talent, receive little support from the management and, after just a handful of patchy performances, are quickly cast aside. 'Had Mickey Arthur not thrown his weight behind Babar Azam, he would never have made it to the team,' Lakhani remarked. If a player has batted on Multan's pitches all his career, management can't just send him to Sydney and expect him to perform with the same intensity. 'And, if he doesn't deliver in four or five matches, he is dropped,' he added. Experts ThePrint spoke to also delved into the insecurity plaguing senior players, noting how their reluctance to step aside stifles new talent. 'The involvement of former cricketers has been reduced to TV shows and commentaries,' Lakhani said. 'They do very little at the grassroots level.' Take Shoaib Malik, for instance—a former captain whose role should be to mentor younger players, yet he remains intent on playing himself, unwilling to relinquish his spot. Even well into their 40s, players like him continue to represent regional teams, despite having no future in international cricket. Today, selection for Pakistan's cricket team seems driven more by social media buzz than by solid, consistent performances in domestic cricket. A flashy innings and a viral hashtag are often enough to secure a call-up. India vs Pakistan The state of Pakistani cricket has also taken away from one of the most electrifying contests in the game—India vs Pakistan. It is now reduced to a one-sided encounter, with India consistently dominating. Since 2010, India has won 12 out of 17 ODIs against Pakistan, with only four losses and one no-result. In T20I matches, India are the runaway leaders. From 2010 onwards, the two sides have locked horns in 11 matches, out of which, Pakistan has emerged victorious in only three. The disparity in resources is noteworthy—India has a wealth of financial backing and an ever-growing pool of talent, making its dominance almost inevitable. In contrast, Pakistan struggles with limited funds, and when that money doesn't trickle down to the grassroots level, problems arise. 'It's sad to witness their decline, and it's a worrying trend for world cricket,' Magazine said. Then there is the security situation. The 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore bus marked a tragic turning point. It led to Pakistan being isolated from hosting international cricket. In the aftermath, Pakistan was forced to play 'home' games abroad—in Dubai. Latif said playing on Dubai pitches took a toll on Pakistan's cricket. 'Dubai pitches made their game play from aggressive to defensive.' But Magazine feels otherwise. 'Home games generate passion, inspire young players, and fuel public interest. As fewer people were drawn to the sport, Pakistan's cricketing pool shrank.' In Lakhani's view, going forward, Pakistan's cricketing future hinges on three key pillars: honesty, patience, and consistency. 'The system must be rebuilt from the grassroots.' He also stressed the need for a structured approach at every level, from clubs to top-tier teams. If the administrative changes aren't made now, Magazine warned that Pakistan risks following the path of the West Indies, a once-great cricketing nation now struggling for relevance. 'It's not a good sign for world cricket.' As Magazine put it, 'With the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and now possibly Pakistan on the decline, what's left?' (Edited by Amrtansh Arora) Also Read: BCCI should boycott Pakistan Cricket Board. It will hurt its finances, not the game
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Proud moment': Sadanandan Master pledges to work for 'Viksit Kerala' after Rajya Sabha nomination
Calling it a proud moment, veteran social worker and educationist C. Sadanandan Master on Sunday pledged to work harder to help realise the Union government's vision of a "Viksit Kerala," following his nomination to the Rajya Sabha by the President. Sadanandan Master has vowed to improve their lives and boost their morale. Master, who has decades of grassroots service in Kerala, said that the political climate under the ruling Left government has been challenging for BJP workers. He vowed to improve their lives and boost their morale. "This is a proud moment because the party has shown its confidence and trust in me. This is very important in the context of Kerala politics. The party is now promoting the idea of Viksit Kerala and Viksit Bharat. To help realise this vision, I must work even harder," he said. Also Read: Mumbai blasts lawyer, ex foreign secretary among 4 new nominees to Rajya Sabha "In Kerala, we have faced many atrocities from political opponents, especially in the Kannur district. Many karyakartas have sacrificed their lives for the party. Their families are suffering today. It is my duty to uplift them and restore their confidence," he added. Master, along with Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Deorao Nikam, former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and historian Meenakshi Jain, was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President of India, recognising excellence in public service and scholarship. These nominations were made under the powers conferred by Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution, read with clause (3). They come following the retirement of previously nominated members. The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the nominations through an official notification. The appointments are seen as recognition of outstanding national contributions in the fields of law, diplomacy, social service, and historical research. Following the announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Master, describing his life as the "epitome" of courage and resilience. "Shri C. Sadanandan Master's life is the epitome of courage and refusal to bow to injustice. Violence and intimidation couldn't deter his spirit toward national development. His efforts as a teacher and social worker are commendable. He is deeply passionate about youth empowerment. Congratulations to him on being nominated to the Rajya Sabha by Rashtrapati Ji. Best wishes for his role as MP," PM Modi said.
India Gazette
15 hours ago
- India Gazette
C Sadanandan Master pledges to work for 'Viksit Kerala' after Rajya Sabha nomination
Kannur (Kerala) [India], July 13 (ANI): Calling it a proud moment, veteran social worker and educationist C. Sadanandan Master on Sunday pledged to work harder to help realise the Union government's vision of a 'Viksit Kerala,' following his nomination to the Rajya Sabha by the President. Master, who has decades of grassroots service in Kerala, said that the political climate under the ruling Left government has been challenging for BJP workers. He vowed to improve their lives and boost their morale. 'This is a proud moment because the party has shown its confidence and trust in me. This is very important in the context of Kerala politics. The party is now promoting the idea of Viksit Kerala and Viksit Bharat. To help realise this vision, I must work even harder,' he said. 'In Kerala, we have faced many atrocities from political opponents, especially in the Kannur district. Many karyakartas have sacrificed their lives for the party. Their families are suffering today. It is my duty to uplift them and restore their confidence,' he added. Master, along with Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Deorao Nikam, former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, and historian Meenakshi Jain, was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President of India, recognising excellence in public service and scholarship. These nominations were made under the powers conferred by Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution, read with clause (3). They come following the retirement of previously nominated members. The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the nominations through an official notification. The appointments are seen as recognition of outstanding national contributions in the fields of law, diplomacy, social service, and historical research. Following the announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Master, describing his life as the 'epitome' of courage and resilience. 'Shri C. Sadanandan Master's life is the epitome of courage and refusal to bow to injustice. Violence and intimidation couldn't deter his spirit toward national development. His efforts as a teacher and social worker are commendable. He is deeply passionate about youth empowerment. Congratulations to him on being nominated to the Rajya Sabha by Rashtrapati Ji. Best wishes for his role as MP,' PM Modi said. (ANI)
