CHENNAI: Former Chief Minister K Kamaraj's granddaughter Mayuri was among more than 50 people from various parties who joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in the presence of party president Vijay on Monday, signalling efforts to bring in leaders from across the spectrum.
The new entrants also included Catherine, the third daughter of former Union Minister Dalit Ezhilmalai, and Rajmohan, son of noted writer and actor Vela Ramamoorthy, who had earlier been aligned with the O Panneerselvam camp. TVK sources said those who joined the party on Monday would be assigned responsibilities in the women's and youth wings.
Several leaders from rival parties were also inducted. C Sundarapandian, organiser of the DMK Trade Wing in Thanjavur central district; Kannayiram, deputy organiser of the DMK Youth Wing from Ottanchathiram in Dindigul district; Bhaskaran, AIADMK former municipal chairperson from Tiruvallur; AIADMK former MLA from Puducherry Union Territory, Periyasamy; and B Rajan, councillor of the Greater Chennai Corporation's 23rd ward, were among the notable ones. Rajan, who was elected as an Independent and later identified as a Congress supporter, has now joined TVK, marking the party's formal entry into the Chennai Corporation.
Addressing reporters, TVK joint general secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar questioned the State government's TAPS pension policy, alleging that deducting 10% from employees' salaries after announcing pensions was misleading.
He accused labour unions of being bought over and questioned the delay in implementing the Old Pension Scheme despite electoral promises.
On the delay in granting censor certification for the film Jananayagan, Nirmal Kumar said the party suspected deliberate procrastination. He also said decisions on any potential alignment involving O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran wouldbe taken by party president Vijay.