Latest news with #Arunraj
India Today
04-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
No BJP alliance ever: Ex-revenue officer who joined actor Vijay's party
In an exclusive interaction with India Today, KG Arunraj, a former Indian Revenue Service officer and now the general secretary of propaganda and policy of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), dismissed any alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and claimed that the party led by actor-politician Vijay is all set to form the next government in Tamil who took voluntary retirement to join Vijay's newly launched political outfit in June, said the TVK has never entertained the idea of aligning with the leader made it very clear in our first party conference at Vikravandi that there will be no alliance - direct or indirect - with the BJP. This has been our stand right from the beginning,' he stated, referring to recent speculation. Responding to comments by BJP leaders like Nainar Nagendran and Tamilisai Soundararajan, who suggested Vijay should align with the BJP, Arunraj dismissed them as 'unsolicited advice.' He said, 'If they really have strength in Tamil Nadu, they should grow their party organically. They claim to be the biggest party in India, then why do they need our shoulders? We are not here to let anyone climb using us. Tamil and Periyar soil will continue to shut the doors on the BJP- now and forever.'Arunraj positioned TVK as the sole force genuinely opposing the ruling DMK, calling out what he described as the Chief Minister's 'work-from-home politics.' He cited Vijay's visit to actor Ajith Kumar's home in Sivakasi to personally offer condolences, contrasting it with the CM's gesture of only calling. 'Our leader has stepped onto the ground from day one and shown he genuinely cares for the people,' he suggestions that TVK is being soft on the AIADMK in the hopes of a future alliance, Arunraj denied such motives. 'Our job is to question the party in power. Since DMK is ruling, we are questioning DMK. Our leader has made it clear—TVK is neither AIADMK nor DMK to make compromises with BJP,' he the issue of youth support, Arunraj said that the entry of Vijay into politics has energized a generation disillusioned by corruption and dynastic politics. 'Before TVK, there was apathy among youth. Today, they are our biggest strength. Vijay evoked the legacies of Periyar, Kamarajar, Velunachiyar, and Anjalai Ammal, reintroducing their ideologies to a generation that had lost touch.'Responding to Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan's remark that politics is not easy and that Vijay should be prepared for hardship, Arunraj took the comment in stride. 'We are not AIADMK, DMK or even Jana Sena. We know politics is difficult. Easy things anyone can do - difficult things are for great leaders like Vijay,' he the road ahead, Arunraj was confident that the 2026 Assembly elections would mark a turning point. 'TVK will sweep the elections. We will form the government and Vijay will be sworn in as Chief Minister. He will bring real development to Tamil Nadu,' he said.- EndsMust Watch
India Today
10-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Ex-revenue officer joins Vijay's party, DMK alleges he raided actor's home in 2020
KG Arunraj, a doctor-turned-Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officer who recently took voluntary retirement, has joined Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) as the party's propaganda and policy chief. The announcement was made on former civil servant had served for over 15 years in the Income Tax department, with postings in Tamil Nadu, Bihar, and Maharashtra. He opted for voluntary retirement from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) in May this a post on X, Arunraj wrote, 'I begin my journey with all your best wishes as a volunteer of the TVK in this noble mission undertaken by our victorious leader for fundamental social and political change beyond the realm of governance.'advertisementSoon after his political entry, the DMK alleged that Arunraj was the same officer who conducted a tax raid on actor Vijay's residence in Chennai in 2020. The raid was carried out as part of an alleged tax evasion investigation. However, both Arunraj and TVK general secretary Aadhav Arjuna have denied these claims. When asked about the DMK's allegation, the two dismissed it as to the IRS officer joining the TVK, DMK MP P Wilson wrote on X, 'Is your master Sarkar? Did they threaten you with a knife or a gun,' a veiled reference using the titles of popular Vijay films, Master and spokesperson A Saravanan challenged Arunraj to come out and flatly deny that he was involved in Vijay's raids in 2020.'If someone has investigated Vijay for IT violations and joins the same party, it makes a mockery of our executives,' Saravan told India to India Today, BJP leader and former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan came out in support of Vijay and alleged that the DMK was 'scared of Vijay and the BJP' and questioned why the ruling party was commenting on other parties if it was confident of its own position. She also accused the DMK of hypocrisy, claiming that it had appointed its own party secretaries as university Vice a press release, it was also noted that several others, including former AIADMK MLAs R Rajalakshmi and A Sridharan, former DMK MLA S David Selvan, former judge C Subash have joined the TVK. IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
India.com
09-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Tamil Nadu: Vijays TVK Gets Boost As Former Bureaucrats, Legislators Join Ranks Ahead Of 2026 Polls
CHENNAI: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the political party led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, witnessed a significant boost on Monday with the induction of several prominent personalities, including retired bureaucrats and former legislators, into its fold. The move comes as TVK intensifies preparations for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Among the notable entrants was K.G. Arunraj, a former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, who has been appointed as the party's General Secretary for Propaganda and Policy. In a statement, TVK President Vijay said Arunraj would play a critical role in crafting the party's ideological framework and steering its policy initiatives. "Arunraj will be entrusted with policy formulation and programme execution under my leadership and that of our General Secretary N. Anand," he said. "I request all party cadres and office-bearers to extend full cooperation to him, especially as we work toward the upcoming Assembly elections." The party's growing appeal among administrators and politicians was evident with the inclusion of several other high-profile figures. These included former AIADMK MLA R. Rajalakshmi, former DMK MLA S. David Selvan, Dravida Murtpokku Makkal Katchi founder and former AIADMK MLA A. Sridharan, Jeppiar Remibai Educational Trust Executive Trustee and Jeppiar Institute of Technology Chairman N. Maria Wilson, and former judge C. Subhash. Vijay welcomed the new members into TVK's ranks and expressed confidence that their expertise and grassroots experience would bolster the party's presence across Tamil Nadu. "The diverse backgrounds and public service experience of these leaders will strengthen our commitment to people-centric governance," Vijay noted. "As our party continues to evolve, I urge all cadres and functionaries to work in harmony with the new inductees to consolidate our grassroots structure." The strategic onboarding of former lawmakers and bureaucrats signals TVK's intention to emerge as a formidable player in Tamil Nadu's political landscape. Since its formal announcement as a political party, the TVK has focused on expanding its organisational base while drawing professionals, youth, and civil society members into its fold. With Assembly elections less than a year away, the party's latest move is expected to boost its credibility and electoral readiness as it seeks to position itself as an alternative to the state's traditional Dravidian political outfits.
The Print
05-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Doctor-turned-civil servant whose ‘heart was always in politics', KG Arunraj set to join TVK
'Of course, he is here to take up a senior position in the party and that will be announced by the party leader, Vijay, very soon,' the aide said. 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, 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
